Billy McCreedy

Billy McCreedy was manager of the five-man Ireland swimming and diving team for the 1948 Olympic Games but from the moment they arrived in London, the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) was embroiled in Olympic politics. Because Liam Jones and Ernie McCartney were both born in Belfast (Northern Ireland), they were told by both the world governing body (FINA) and the IOC that they could not compete for Ireland (Southern Ireland). As a result, the entire Irish swimming and diving squad withdrew in solidarity.

McCreedy was a water polo judge, referee, timekeeper, and administrator. He was appointed secretary of the Irish Amateur Swimming Association (IASA) in 1937 and became one of their longest serving secretaries, retiring due to business commitments in 1954. McCreedy also served as the IASA representative on the world body FINA and was also chairman of the British Empire and Commonwealth Games Council for Northern Ireland. McCreedy was also a one-time secretary of the Wellington Amateur Swimming and Life Saving Club, Belfast, having been appointed to the post in 1949.