John Jarvis

Jack Jarvis won his first Olympic title in 1900 when he beat the Austrian Otto Wahle by more than a minute in the 1,000 metre freestyle. Eleven days later he won a second gold in the 4,000 metres freestyle with an even more resounding victory, finishing about 11 minutes ahead of the Hungarian Zoltán von Halmay. The fact that both races were swam with the benefit of the downstream current in the River Seine made a significant contribution to the fast times recorded.

Jarvis won three more medals at the 1906 Games in Athens and made his third and final Olympic appearance in 1908. By this time he was 36-years-old and, after winning his heat in the 1,500 metre freestyle, he failed to finish the semi-final. Between 1897 and 1906 Jarvis won 24 ASA swimming titles representing Leicester SC, and in 1904 he was also the plunging champion. He won 108 major international races using a right overarm sidestroke with a special kick he had developed with Joey Nuttall, a leading professional of the time. This effective technique, known as the Jarvis-Nuttall Kick, enabled Jarvis to set many world records although none were ever so officially recognized by FINA.

Jarvis was also a water polo international for 11 years, from 1894 to 1904. After his retirement from competitive swimming, Jarvis devoted himself to life saving techniques and was respectfully referred to as “Professor” Jarvis. He personally saved many lives including a well-publicized rescue when he brought in twin sisters. His sister Clara was chaperone to the British women’s swimming team at the 1912 Olympics and three of his daughters, all swimming teachers, went to Florida in 1968 to represent their father at his posthumous introduction into the Swimming hall of Fame at Fort Lauderdale.