Two-Time Australian Olympic Swimmer Neil Rogers Passes Away at 68

Australian swimming has lost one of its beloved figures as two-time Olympian Neil Rogers passed away on April 17, 2024, at the age of 70.

Renowned as both an exceptional coach and a remarkable individual, Rogers left an indelible mark on the Australian swimming community throughout his lifetime.

Born in 1953, Rogers made his mark on the international stage at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, where, at just 16 years old, he clinched a bronze medal in the 200 backstroke and contributed to a silver medal-winning performance in the 400 medley relay alongside his older brother Greg.

Returning to the Commonwealth Games in 1974, Rogers secured a gold medal and set a Games record in the 100 butterfly, adding to his tally two silver medals.

Rogers made his Olympic debut at the 1972 Munich Games, competing in the 100 butterfly and achieving his highest finish of 8th place.

His participation in the Olympics continued at the 1976 Montreal Games, where he finished 6th in the 100 freestyle and 8th in the 100 butterfly.

Beyond competitive swimming, Rogers maintained a strong connection to the water, with his brother Ron being an Australian surf belt champion.

Together with Greg, they shared unique achievements, including being the only brothers to win an Australian Open Belt Race championship and an Australian Open 100 freestyle title.

Following his competitive career, Rogers transitioned into coaching, serving as the manager and coach at the Bondi Icebergs swimming pool.

His coaching prowess extended to the World Masters Championships, where he continued to compete later in life.

Neil Martin, co-chair of Swimming Australia and a former teammate of Rogers, reflected on his passing, highlighting Rogers’ significant contributions to Australian swimming.

“Neil Rogers was a much-loved and talented athlete of the 1970s and an icon of Australian swimming, including as a coach at Bondi Icebergs,” Martin said. “He was highly regarded by all who knew him and will be sorely missed by our sport.”