John Coutts (swimmer)

John Coutts
Personal information
Birth nameJohn William Coutts
Born (1955-08-14) 14 August 1955 (age 69)
Marton, New Zealand
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportSwimming
Medal record
Men's Swimming
Representing  New Zealand
Commonwealth Games
Bronze medal – third place 1974 Christchurch 200 m butterfly

John William Coutts (born 14 August 1955) is a former New Zealand swimmer.

Coutts was born in Marton in 1955,[1] and grew up in Hastings. He received his education at Hastings Central, Hastings Intermediate, and Hastings Boys' High Schools.[2] Coutts was the first person to swim Cook Strait in both directions.[2]

Coutts won a bronze medal in the 200 m butterfly at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.[3] He competed at the 1975 World Aquatics Championships in Cali, Colombia.[2] He represented New Zealand at the 1976 Summer Olympics, competing in the 100 m butterfly and 200 m butterfly.[4]

Coutts was formerly a director of Carlile Swimming, the largest private swimming school in the world,[2] originally set up by Australian swimming legend Forbes Carlile and his wife Ursula Carlile.[5]

At age 16, he was voted Hawke's Bay Sportsperson of the Year in 1972. In June 2012, he was inducted into the Hawke's Bay's Sports Hall of Fame.[2] He is married to Sally, and they have four children. Coutts and his wife live in Australia.[2]

References

  1. ^ "John Coutts". Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Swimming: Coutts thrived outside comfort zone". Hawke's Bay Today. 13 April 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Results for Swimming - 200m Butterfly - Men". Commonwealth Games Federation. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  4. ^ "Results for John Coutts". New Zealand Olympic Committee. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  5. ^ "The Carlile Story". Carlile Swimming. Retrieved 12 December 2015.