Olympic Gold Medalist. He won the gold medal in the 4X200 meter freestyle relay in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He will always be remembered for winning a controversial gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, with American swimmer Lance Larson winning the silver medal. The controversy involved differing times with the judges and led to the use of electronic touchpads to be included in swimming events. After his Olympic career, he worked for Speedo, started an aquatic equipment business, and served on the Australian Olympic Committee, helping to win Sydney's bid for the 2000 Summer Olympics. He and an author researched the story of Cecil Healy, an Australian gold medalist in the 4X20 meter freestyle relay in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, who was killed in 1918 at Sommes, France, during World War I.
Olympic Gold Medalist. He won the gold medal in the 4X200 meter freestyle relay in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He will always be remembered for winning a controversial gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, with American swimmer Lance Larson winning the silver medal. The controversy involved differing times with the judges and led to the use of electronic touchpads to be included in swimming events. After his Olympic career, he worked for Speedo, started an aquatic equipment business, and served on the Australian Olympic Committee, helping to win Sydney's bid for the 2000 Summer Olympics. He and an author researched the story of Cecil Healy, an Australian gold medalist in the 4X20 meter freestyle relay in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, who was killed in 1918 at Sommes, France, during World War I.
Bio by: Alicelth
Family Members
See more Devitt memorials in:
Plant Memorial Tree
