British Olympic champion David Wilkie has sadly passed away at the age of 70 after a courageous battle with cancer. Wilkie, who hails from Scotland, left behind a remarkable legacy in the world of swimming.
During his illustrious career, Wilkie won three Olympic medals and three world titles, with his crowning achievement being the gold medal in the 200m breaststroke at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. His performance in Montreal was spectacular, as he broke the existing 200m breaststroke record by over three seconds at just 22 years old. This record stood for another five years before being surpassed.
Wilkie received numerous accolades for his achievements in the sport, including being awarded an MBE in 1977 for his contributions to swimming. He was also a finalist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 1975 and 1976. Furthermore, Wilkie is believed to be the only person to have simultaneously held British, American, Commonwealth, European, World, and Olympic swimming titles.
After retiring from competitive swimming, Wilkie went on to become a successful businessman, founding Pets’ Kitchen, a company that provides nutritional food for pets. His son, Adam, fondly remembered Wilkie as a loving father, husband, and man with a great sense of humor. Team GB and fellow athletes paid tribute to Wilkie, recognizing his remarkable achievements and legacy in the world of swimming.
David Wilkie’s passing is a great loss to the sports world, but his legacy and contributions to swimming will always be remembered and celebrated. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
