Graham_Windeatt
Graham Windeatt
Australian swimmer
Graham Claude Windeatt (born 5 August 1954) is an Australian former long-distance freestyle swimmer of the 1970s, who won a silver medal in the 1500-metre freestyle at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.[1]
In 1971 as a school student Windeatt broke the men's world 800-metre freestyle record in the NSW Combined High Schools Swimming Championships held at North Sydney pool.[2]
Windeatt made his debut at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, where he claimed gold in the 1500-metre freestyle. In Munich, he was involved in an epic battle with the reigning 1500-metre Olympic champion from 1968, the United States' Mike Burton. After leading for 600 metres, Burton was passed by Windeatt, before reclaiming the lead in the last 300 metres. Later in the Olympics, Windeatt came fourth in the 400-metre freestyle. Windeatt also placed seventh in the 400-metre individual medley and fifth in the 4×200-metre freestyle relay.[2]
Following the Munich Olympic Games, he took up a swimming scholarship to the University of Tennessee. During his time at the university he became an All-American and with the team won conference championships and placings in National Collegiate championships.[2]
Windeatt was also selected for the 1975 World Championship just missing a medal in the 400-metre freestyle and competing in the 200-metre freestyle final. The year following he was Australian Swim Team Captain for the 1976 Montreal Olympics.[2]
He married Nira Stove in 1979, they have two adult children.
