John Monckton (swimmer)
Encyclopedia
John James Monckton (born 28 October 1938) was an Australia
n backstroke swimmer of the 1950s, who won a silver medal in the 100m backstroke at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics
. Although he set multiple world records, he never won an Olympic gold medal.
An apprentice carpenter from the New England
region of New South Wales
, Monckton appeared to be primed to win gold at the 1956 Olympics. At the national team camp in Townsville before the games, he became the first person to swim 400 m backstroke in under five minutes. Although it was not a regularly contested event at international level, it was a promising sign for the Olympics. He also set world records in the 110 and 220yd freestyle events.
At the Olympics, Monckton was the fastest qualifier in the heats and semifinal, but was upstaged in the final by team-mate David Theile
.
In the absence of Theile, who had retired after the Olympics to study medicine at university, Monckton dominated backstroke swimming, winning the 110yd backstroke event at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
in Cardiff
and also the 4×110 yd medley relay. Monckton then prepared for another Olympics in 1960 in Rome
, with Theile deferring his studies to defend his Olympic title. Monckton again lead the qualifying in the heats and semifinals. However, in the final, he misjudged the turn and broke a finger. He limped home in fifth position, with Theile successfully defending his title. Monckton continued competing in the hope of reaching a third Olympics in 1964, but retired after his performances began to deteriorate.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n backstroke swimmer of the 1950s, who won a silver medal in the 100m backstroke at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
. Although he set multiple world records, he never won an Olympic gold medal.
An apprentice carpenter from the New England
New England (Australia)
New England or New England North West is the name given to a generally undefined region about 60 kilometres inland, that includes the Northern Tablelands and the North West Slopes regions in the north of the state of New South Wales, Australia.-History:The region has been occupied by Indigenous...
region of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Monckton appeared to be primed to win gold at the 1956 Olympics. At the national team camp in Townsville before the games, he became the first person to swim 400 m backstroke in under five minutes. Although it was not a regularly contested event at international level, it was a promising sign for the Olympics. He also set world records in the 110 and 220yd freestyle events.
At the Olympics, Monckton was the fastest qualifier in the heats and semifinal, but was upstaged in the final by team-mate David Theile
David Theile
David Egmont Theile , was an Australian backstroke swimmer of the 1950s and 1960s, who won consecutive gold medals in the 100 m backstroke at the 1956 and 1960 Summer Olympics, the only Australian to do so...
.
In the absence of Theile, who had retired after the Olympics to study medicine at university, Monckton dominated backstroke swimming, winning the 110yd backstroke event at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
The 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Cardiff, capital of Wales from 18–26 July 1958.Thirty-five nations sent a total of 1,130 athletes and 228 officials to the Cardiff Games and 23 countries and dependencies won medals, including, for the first time, Singapore, Ghana, Kenya...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
and also the 4×110 yd medley relay. Monckton then prepared for another Olympics in 1960 in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, with Theile deferring his studies to defend his Olympic title. Monckton again lead the qualifying in the heats and semifinals. However, in the final, he misjudged the turn and broke a finger. He limped home in fifth position, with Theile successfully defending his title. Monckton continued competing in the hope of reaching a third Olympics in 1964, but retired after his performances began to deteriorate.