CLARKSON RECEIVES INAUGURAL BOA HONOUR
British Swimming board member Alan Clarkson OBE has become
the first person in history to receive a long service award
from the British Olympic Association (BOA).
The 69-year-old former swimmer was presented with the inaugural
award by HRH The Princess Royal at the BOA Annual General
Meeting at the Royal College of Physicians in London today.
Clarkson, who today stepped down from his position as BOA
Swimming Representative after a 21-year stint, was overwhelmed
to receive the award in front of his peers.
"I am absolutely delighted and honoured to receive the
award," he said. "It came as a total surprise.
"I have had a very enjoyable run on the BOA committee
and have some wonderful memories. With London 2012 just five
years away I feel it's time to stand down and let someone
more involved in swimming, who can provide the commitment
and knowledge required to make the Games a success, take my
place."
Clarkson, a former Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) President
and a current Honorary Trustee, represented England at the
1958 Commonwealth Games and was a member of a Great Britain
team in an international match against Australia.
He went on to support a series of British and English squads
as team manager, accompanying athletes to three Commonwealth
Games from 1970 to 1978, as well as the Olympic Games in 1976
and the World Championships in 1973, 1975 and 1978.
Clarkson is well regarded on the international swimming circuit
and has enjoyed a variety of roles on committees for both
the European (LEN) and international (FINA) swimming federations.
The qualified accountant has been a member of the FINA Technical
Open Water Committee since 1992, and was chair of the group
until 2005. Prior to 1992 he was a member of the FINA Technical
Swimming Committee for 20 years.
In Europe, Clarkson was a member of the Technical Swimming
Committee from 1990 to 2004 and has been a member of the LEN
Bureau since 1994.
Closer to home, Clarkson has been a member of York City Baths
Swimming Club since 1951, where he has competed, coached and
captained the team. He was awarded an OBE in HM The Queen's
New Years Honours 2004 in recognition of his contribution
to the sport of swimming.
His family is also heavily involved in swimming. His wife,
a former Olympian, is an active swimming teacher, while his
son is a former water polo player and his daughter is a former
swimmer and current swimming teacher.
British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes was delighted
to see Clarkson recognised and was keen to praise him for
his unprecedented commitment to swimming,
"I can think of no one more deserving than Alan for
this award," he said. "This is the first time the
award has ever been made which goes to show the commitment
he has shown. Alan has devoted his whole life to swimming,
as a competitor, coach, team manager and administrator, and
he continues to serve with distinction on the British Swimming
Board.
"Having been fully involved with the BOA for 21 years
as swimming's representative, and some of that time on the
BOA Executive, his contribution to the Olympic movement and
swimming is beyond parallel."
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