Australian swimming is mourning the loss of one of its beloved figure, Brian ‘Wilko’ Wilkinson. 

Wilkinson, who passed away aged 88 after a brief illness, began his life-long association with the sport when he was spotted in 1952 as a 14-year-old from Muswellbrook. 

Four years later he competed for Australia at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games where he swam alongside a national team that contained the likes of Murray Rose, Jon Henricks, Dawn Fraser and Lorraine Crapp. 

He finished seventh in the Olympic final for the men’s 200 yard Butterfly, and at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff Wilkinson won the gold 4×220 yard freestyle relay with John Konrads, John Devitt and Gary Chapman and bronze for the 200 yard butterfly.  

Mr Wilkinson also held the world record for the 110-yard butterfly – beating the clock at Sydney in 1958 – and he was a member of the Australian Medley team that broke the world record on three occasions.  

His enormous contribution to swimming is noted by his induction into three Halls of Fame, and by being presented with Swim Coaches & Teachers Australia’s ring #45.  

His son, Grant, shared news of his loss via social media. 

“A mentor, friend and father figure to countless number of athletes giving unwavering support but also some home truths when needed too,” he wrote.  

“Old school. For me I have lost my best mate. A constant that has had my back and who has been by my side since my first swimming race at age 5.” 

“There is a hole in the universe that cannot be filled but those who met him and knew him best were better for it. I will love you forever!” 

Wilkinson focussed on coaching in 1964, and in 1996 he became only the second Australian in history to have represented the nation at the Olympics as a both a swimmer and then as a coach when selected as an Australian team coach at the Atlanta Games. 

One of the giants of swim coaching, Leigh Nugent, paid tribute to Wilkinson for making “an enormous contribution to sport.” 

“He was an Olympian, a great coach and just a good person,” said Nugent. “He was a man who made a difference.” 

New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Section Lead Melissa Mitchell-Gumley – who trained under Wilkinson – described him as a ‘father figure’. 

“I spent a large part of my swimming career with Brian, and he was another father figure to me: he protected and guided all of us through the swimming pathway and he genuinely cared.  

“He cared about the whole person and created a memorable experience with sport. It wasn’t just swimming; it was about creating a community. Words will never truly capture the enormous impact he had on so many lives in and out of the water.”  

NSWIS offers its sincerest condolences to Grant and the Wilkinson family, as well as Brian’s many friends. 

NSWIS

Recommended Articles