AOC PAYS TRIBUTE TO OLYMPIC SWIMMING GREAT JOHN KONRADS

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has paid tribute to the late John Konrads, Olympic gold medallist from the Rome 1960 Games, who passed away yesterday aged 78.

In a career that saw him set 26 world records in the pool between 200m and 1500m, his signature moment came in the 1500m freestyle in Rome where he won gold, as well as claiming bronze in the 400m freestyle and bronze as a member of the 4 x 200 freestyle relay team with Murray Rose, John Devitt and David Dickson.

AOC President John Coates says the story of the ‘Konrads Kids’, John and his sister Ilsa, is an inspirational example of opportunity meeting talent and determination.

"John and Ilsa came here as migrant kids from Latvia with John particularly using the swimming pool to overcome the debilitating impacts of polio. Spotted and trained by the great Don Talbot, who we lost only six months ago, the pair blossomed into sporting prodigies.

"It’s extraordinary to think he smashed those world records aged only 15, but like so many Olympians, he grew into a champion away from sport.

"Following his time as a coach, he enjoyed considerable success in the business world, inspired other Olympians to think about life after sport and was prominent in raising awareness of bipolar disorder, an affliction he suffered."

Mr Coates said John Konrads also devoted himself to the Olympic movement with significant contributions for Brisbane’s bid for the 1992 Games, Melbourne’s bid for 1996 and ultimately Sydney’s successful bid for 2000.

"Once an Olympian, always an Olympian. That was John Konrads. My sincere condolences to John’s wife Mikki, sister Ilsa and the entire Konrads family," Mr Coates concluded.

Olympic Games

Rome 1960 – Gold 1500m freestyle, Bronze 400m freestyle, Bronze 4 x 200 freestyle relay

Tokyo 1964 - 4 x 200m (heats)

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