Murray Rose, 73, four-time Olympic swimming champion

[joeybee12]

SYDNEY — Murray Rose, a four-time Olympic champion distance swimmer for Australia, died Sunday. He was 73.

Swimming Australia said Mr. Rose died of leukemia.

The Scotland-born Mr. Rose won three golds at the 1956 Melbourne Games, becoming a national hero at 17. He won a gold, silver and bronze four years later in Rome. His golds in 1956 came in the 400- and 1,500-meter freestyle events and the 4x-200-meter freestyle relay. In Rome, he won the 400 free, took silver in the 1,500 and bronze in the 4x200 free relay.

“I’m just extremely sad at the passing of one of the greatest swimmers of all time and a great mate,” said John Konrads, who beat out Mr. Mr. Rose for the 1,500 gold in Rome.

Mr. Rose eventually set 15 world records, including marks in the 400, 800, and 1,500 freestyles.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/obituaries/11926593-418/murray-rose-73-four-time-olympic-swimming-champion.html

RIP