Vale Brian Wilkinson

Swimming Australia today mourns the passing of champion swimmer, world-record breaker and beloved swim coach Brian Wilkinson.

The Olympian and chevalier servant to swimming has been lauded for his “enormous contribution” to the sport that started when he was spotted as a promising 14-year-old talent from Muswellbrook in New South Wales.

Son Grant revealed Brian had passed in the early hours of Monday morning at 88 years of age.

He wrote in tribute of his late father: “A mentor, friend and father figure to countless number of athletes giving unwavering support but also some home truths when needed too. 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!”

Transitioning rapidly from junior to senior competitions, Wilkinson made his Australian debut as Dolphin #104 at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games where he finished seventh overall in the 200m butterfly.

He soon went on to win gold at the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games in the men’s 4×220 yard freestyle relay alongside John Konrads, John Devitt and Gary Chapman.

At the same Games, Wilkinson won an individual bronze for the 220 yard butterfly.

A butterfly specialist, Wilkinson set a world record in the men’s 110y butterfly at Sydney in 1958.

Born in Muswellbrook, New South Wales and a long-term member of the local swim club, Wilkinson also contributed to Australia’s powerhouse men’s medley relay era that set three world records in the 4x100m medley.

After retiring from swimming in 1964, Wilkinson moved into coaching and became the just second Australian in history to represent Australia at the Olympics as a both a swimmer and then as a coach.

He was an Australian team coach at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and he also won the Open Water Coach of the Year Award from the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association in 2001.

Swimming Australia master coach Leigh Nugent said Wilkinson had made “an enormous contribution to sport. He was an Olympian, a great coach and just a good person. He was a man who made a difference.”

“Our sincerest condolences to Grant and the Wilkinson family, and all of Brian’s many friends.”

Brian Willkinson (pictured far right). Image supplied.

VALE BRIAN WILKINSON

Dolphin: #104

Australian Coaching Pin:#45

Born: 12 Feb 1938, Muswellbrook

Died: April 2026

Club: Muswellbrook