Swimming Australia has announced the sudden passing of National Para Sports Mentor coach Jan Cameron at the age of 70.
Cameron represented Australia at both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, winning a silver in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics alongside Dawn Fraser in the 4x100m freestyle.
She first began coaching in 1968 at Port Kembla, NSW and her first Games experience came in 1972 as a Paralympic team coach before making significant contributions to Team New Zealand at Sydney 2000, Athens, 2004 and Beijing 2008.
Cameron represented Australia as a coach at the 2014 Para Pan Pacific Championships, the 2014 Brazil Open, the 2015 Berlin Open, the 2015 IPC World Championships and 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.
Her squad of six swimmers won 10 medals at the 2015 IPC World Championships.
She was just the third Australian woman to gain her Platinum Coaching License.
Saddened to hear about Jan Cameron’s passing. A fierce woman with a kind heart who gave so much to many❤️
— Sarah Cowley Ross (@SarahCowley3) April 30, 2018
Sad 2 hear about passing of Jan Cameron. I worked with her for 3 years with @SwimmingNZ and the HP squad. Hard lady, but passionate about swimming and high-Perf. Rest easy Jan.
— Richard Ellis (@RichardEllisNZ) April 30, 2018
In a statement from Swimming Australia:
"As Swimming Australia’s current Para Sport Mentor Coach, she was a much-loved member of our Swimming Family – staff, coaches, officials and athletes alike. Jan’s illustrious career has spanned all areas of swimming including as an athlete, coach and administrator."
"Just this month Jan was appointed as Head Para Mentor Coach for the 2018 Commonwealth Games team where she played a vital role in the team’s success on the Gold Coast. This also marked a significant milestone – 50 years in the coaching game.
"Jan will be sorely missed within the industry, by colleagues, coaches, athletes and all in the wider swimming community.
"Swimming Australia will advise an appropriate memorial in due course. Our thoughts are with Jan’s family and friends at this sad time."
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