In Memoriam: Don Talbot

The swimming world has lost a legend from its coaching ranks, as Australia’s Don Talbot died on Tuesday at the age of 87. Talbot, a 1979 inductee into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, is regarded as one of the greatest coaching minds in history, having guided his homeland to significant success while also molding some of the top names in the sport. Talbot was known as a taskmaster, but his success also warranted tremendous respect and appreciation for his coaching skills.

Talbot made Ontario and Canada home in the 1970's with the Thunder Bay Thunderbolts. Local swimmers were representing Canada at international meets, and swimmers from around the world were coming to Thunder Bay to train with the Thunderbolts. In 1976, the Thunderbolts sent eight swimmers to the Montreal Olympics. The Thunderbolts won the 1977 Women’s Senior Title and the 1978 Overall Winter National Title. One of the most exciting moments during this time was at the 1977 summer Nationals in Montreal when swimmers, Graham Smith and Bill Sawchuk, swam under the world record time for the 200 I.M. Smith out-touched Sawchuk by just one tenth of a second. At the end of 1978 season, Don Talbot, the Canadian Men’s Commonwealth Games and World Championships Head Coach.

Appointed Head Coach of the Canadian Swim Team in 1974, Don Talbot remained in Canada until 1988, during which time he was appointed Executive Director of Canadian Swimming and was twice named Canadian Coach of the Year.

Swim Ontario would like to extend their thoughts to Coach Talbot's friends and family during this time.