Ernest Parker

Despite winning his heat in the 100 yards backstroke at the 1920 Olympic trial, Ernest Parker was selected for the 200 breaststroke at the Antwerpen Olympics, probably because he was fouled during his breaststroke heat during the trial. Despite that, he finished last in his heat at the Games.

Parker had been swimming from a very young age, and at 13 took part in the Yorkshire Backstroke Championship. As a member of Sheffield’s Attercliffe Swimming Club, he finished third in the ASA 200 metres breaststroke in 1913, and in 1920, 1922-23 finished third each year in the ASA 150 yards backstroke. A Co-op employee, Parker was a former Sheffield plunging champion, and played water polo for the city and Attercliffe.