Melville Clark started his competitive swimming career during his time at Cheltenham College. He soon turned his attention from swimming to diving, and in 1902 finished fourth in the ADA Graceful Diving Championship. Two years later, in front of crowd of around 50,000, he won the first of three consecutive ADA titles at the famous Highgate Ponds. It would not be until 1949 before Clark’s record was equalled, when Louis Marchant won the title (then known as the Plain Diving Championship) for the third year in a row. Clark followed his third ADA win with a fifth place at the Paris Olympics, where he was also a reserve for the 4x250 metres relay squad. A chartered patent agent by profession, he was honoured following his death with the trophy that goes to the leading diving club at the ASA Championships each year being named after him.
Great Britain