Swimming remembers renaissance man: Geoff Hare OAM

Swimming Australia has lost one of its long-serving life members, former Olympic technical official and Commonwealth Games team manager Geoffrey Hare OAM.

Hare, a passionate technical official, administrator and team manager for more than 60 years, passed away recently. He was 85.

Geoff, who also served as President of Swimming Victoria, was on pool deck at the Sydney Olympics but as a tribute to his versatility and longevity was also team manager of the Dolphins at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.

It was here that he met Queen Elizabeth II, a life highlight, and successfully navigated a Canadian protest against Australia’s 4x200m gold-medal winning relay team for a late change in swim order that was later dismissed.

A stickler for protocol, Geoff was tireless in his professionalism often advocating that he “expected to see a high-class competition run in good spirit with all competitors and officials cooperating to ensure a well-run competition fair to all”.
Geoff was part of swimming’s fabric.

Generations of swimmers, coaches, parents, and fellow officials interacted with Geoff through his many roles, mostly on pool deck officiating and supporting the development of officials, but also behind the scenes as he contributed to the administrative and governance functions of the sport.

From club through to national and international level, Geoff was a valued contributor and in 2005 was awarded an OAM for his service to swimming, particularly to Swimming Victoria.

Swimming Australia would like to express its sorrow and condolences to the friends and family of Geoff, a lifelong friend and advocate of swimming.