Passages: Former British Swimming President Alan Clarkson, 73

SHEFFIELD, England, May 25. THE ASA and British Swimming are sad to announce the passing of former ASA President Alan Clarkson who passed away on Saturday 22nd May at the age of 73.

Alan represented England at the 1958 Commonwealth Games and went on to support a series of British and English squads as team manager, accompanying athletes to three Commonwealth Games, as well as the Olympic Games in 1976 and the World Championships in 1973, 1975 and 1978.

He was well regarded on the international swimming circuit and enjoyed a variety of roles on committees for both the European (LEN) and international (FINA) swimming federations.

The qualified accountant was a member of the FINA Technical Open Water Committee and was chair of the group until 2005. Prior to 1992 he was a member of the FINA Technical Swimming Committee for 20 years. In Europe, he was a member of the Technical Swimming Committee from 1990 to 2004.

Alan had been a member of York City Baths Swimming Club since 1951, where he competed, coached and captained the team.

He was awarded an OBE in The Queen's New Years Honors list in 2004 in recognition of his contribution to the sport of swimming, while in 2007 he was presented with the first ever long service award from the British Olympic Association by HRH The Princess Royal for his commitment to the sport after serving as a British Olympic Association Swimming representative for 21 years.

David Sparkes, Chief Executive of the ASA and British Swimming said: "Alan was a man who, despite being a busy accountant and family man, had time and energy for the sport he loved.

"Alan made a massive contribution to the ASA and British Swimming over many years and his quiet diplomacy also ensured that there was British influence in FINA and LEN.

"He was, however, perhaps not as ‘at home' in the committee room as he was in the stands watching swimming or engaged in a water polo game.

"Alan loved to see British success and was full of emotion when Rebecca Addlington won her Gold medals in Beijing and was also there when Adrian Moorhouse and David Wilkie won their golds.

"He was such an influence on our sport it is hard to know where to start, he will be missed by everyone who knew him from wherever they came. He was a giant of our sport and a true friend of swimming, it is a great loss."

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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