Liam Jones

Liam Jones was originally selected for 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 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.

Jones was a medical student at Queen’s University, Belfast. In 1950 he broke the British Universities’ record on his way to winning in the 440 yards freestyle title at the UAU Championships in London. The following year Jones won the 1500 metres title at the Summer International University Sports Week (now the World University Games) at Luxembourg.

One of Jones’ finest performances was in finishing second to the great Scottish swimmer Jack Wardrop in the 1950 ASA 880 yards final. Jones was also third in the 440, and the following year was second in the 880 again, this time to Don Bland. Jones held every Irish record from 100 yards to one mile and won countless Irish and Ulster titles. He also represented Ireland at water polo on more than a dozen times.

After joining the Royal Navy as a doctor, Jones retired from competitive swimming and water polo. He later had his own private practice at Ickenham, near Uxbridge, London, where he died suddenly of a heart attack in his early 30s. Jones’ sister Clare was also an Irish and Ulster swimming champion.