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W.O'Donnell - Winton High School 1954-57
(aka. Bill)
SWIMMING RECORD 1960 – 72
Olympic Games in Rome -1960
Representing
  • England v Bologna Trophy 1961
  • England v Monaco 1961
  • England v Russia 1961
  • England v Bulgaria 1961
Represented England Great Britain Amateur Swimming Association
  • English Schoolboy Champion F/S 56.00 Secs 1958
  • British Junior Gents 100yds F/S Record 60.8 Secs 1958
  • English Gents 100yds F/S Record 51.2 Secs 1960
  • 100yds F/S Record 50.8 Secs 1960
  • 100yds F/S Record 49.8 Secs 1960
  • 110yds F/S Record 56.9 Secs. 1960
  • 100yds Breast/S Record 63.8Secs 1961
Scottish ALL Comer Records
  • Gents 100yds F/S
  • Gents 110yds F/S
  • Gents 200yds F/S
  • Gents 100yds Breast/S
  • Gents 110yds Breast/S
  • Gents 2ooyds Breast/S
English Records
  • Gents 100yds F/S
  • Gents 100yds Breast/S

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(All records set up on one night in Glasgow 1961)
Equaled World Record Time of 70.00Secs. for 110yds Breast/S. 1961

Northern Counties -
  • Senior Gents 100yds F/S 1961/62/63
  • Senior Gents 200yds Breast/S 1961
Lancs. -
  • Junior Gents 100yds F/S 1958
  • Senior Gents 100yds F/S 1959/60
  • Senior Gents 100yds Breast/S 1961/69
Record Time of 51.5 Seconds 1961.
Still Stood at least up to September 1981 when this was compiled.
  • Manchester & District Senior Gents 100yds F/S 1959/60/61/63/72
  • District Senior Gents 200yds F/S 1958/60/61
  • Senior Gents 100yds Breast/S 1961/62/70/72
  • Gents Intermediate 100yds F/S 1957
  • Junior Gents 100yds F/S 1957/58
  • Bolton & District Senior Gents 100yds F/S 1959
  • Junior Gents 100yds F/S 1957/58
  • Senior Gents Individual Medley 1964
  • Central Lancs. Gents Intermediate 100yds F/S 1960
  • Senior Gents 100yds F/S 1960/61/62
  • Senior Gents 110yds Br/S Rec.75.5Secs 1969
  • Senior Gents 100yds Br/S Rec.63.5Secs 1970
Both Record Times Still Stood at least until September 1981 when this was compiled.
W.O’Donnell became the first Englishman to break the 50 second barrier for the
100yds F/S with a time of 49.8 Secs, at Guinea Gap in Liverpool in 1960.

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This information was received here as an email. Many thanks to Jean Barnes (O'Donnell) for the concern for accuracy and detail in this account.   Ernie Mills
This is an extract from an email written by Bill.
It tells his Swimming History and some very interesting memories.
  • Eccles Swimming Club. 1951 Swimming for the junior/senior teams, played for senior water polo team.
  • John Boyed savings cup. 1954 winning both trophies.
  • English schools 1958 School boy champion of England.
  • British record 1959. Broke British record on 2 occasions, 100 metres.
  • British record 1960. Broke British record on 2 occasions 100 metres.
  • Olympic Games 1960. Selected for team Rome freestyle/breaststroke
    • Semi finals freestyle, 14th in world, 6th in Medley relay Final
  • British Record attempt 1960, Guinea Gap Liverpool 100 metres record attempt.
    • 49.8 First man in Europe to go under 50 seconds for 100 metres, this lasted 10 years
  • World record attempt at Derby Baths, Blackpool. Broke record with a time of 69 seconds, for the 100 metres breaststroke. This record lasted only 4 weeks, broken by an American.
  • Glasgow Police record attempt, 1961. Govern Hill Baths. Broke 11 records, English and Scottish all comers in freestyle/breaststroke.
  • British record attempt 1961 at Blackburn, 100 metres Breaststroke. Record broken 68 seconds. this record lasted 12 years.
  • European Games, Leipzig. Freestyle/Breaststroke, bronze medal in the 4x100 medley relay.
  • Olympic Games, Tokyo 1964. Freestyle 100 metres, relay teams made semi finals 100 metres 8th in world. Finals od both relays.
  • 1965/6/7 Finished swimming to teach at Cheethams College swimming and Physical Education.
  • British water Polo, 1968/72. Played water polo for Great Britain.
Footnote:
At the Rome Olympics I used to sit with Cassius Clay (Mohamed Ali) every day.
In 1961 I went to Monaco to swim and went to a Ball at the Palace where I met Prince Rainier and Princess Grace (Kelly).
Some of my friends in the swimming world include;    David Wilky, Bobby McGregor, Anita Lonsborough, Ian Black and Chris & Di Wilkinson from Stockport.
Life member of Eccles Swimming Club. President of the swimming club, and Freeman of The Borough of Eccles and still enjoy my swimming.
Wow! what a fantastic life and great memories. Good on ya! Bill, Ernie

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