Roddy Jones

Backstroke swimmer Roddy Jones hailed from Wales and was a member of the Newport Olympic club when he won his first ASA title, the 220 yards, in 1963. After moving to London to study dentistry at Guy’s Hospital, Jones joined the Otter SC in 1964 before moving to Stoke Newington Swimming Club a couple of years later. During his time with them he won three consecutive ASA 110 yards titles, 1966-68, and was also second to Neil Jackson in the 220 final in 1966.

Jones represented Wales at the 1962 Perth (Australia) and 1966 Kingston (Jamaica) British Empire and Commonwealth Games. The closest he came to a medal was in finishing fourth in both the 110 yards backstroke in 1962 and the 4x110 medley relay four years later. Jones won the 100 metres backstroke bronze medal, however, at the 1967 World Student Games (Summer Universiade) at Tokyo. He added another bronze in the 4x100 medley relay. Unfortunately, at the following year’s Mexico Olympics, Jones competed only in the 100 back and just missed out on qualifying from his heat as the 19th fastest qualifier, with 16 going through to the semi-finals.