Geoff Thwaites

Backstroke swimmer Geoff Thwaites finished third in the ASA 220 yards in 1962 and was runner-up in the British National Schools Championships that same year. He won the schools´ title in 1963 and the following year was third in the 220 at the ASA Championships and was also runner-up again un the schools. Championship. Nevertheless, Thwaites was selected for the Tokyo Olympics where he competed in the 200 individual and 4x100 medley relay. Going into the Games, Thwaites was the holder of both the English and British 220 yards record, which he set five months before going to Tokyo. He would hold on to both records for five years.

Thwaites attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Darlington, before going to Queens´ College, Cambridge where he captained the University swimming team and was a Blue in 1968. He also played water polo for Cambridge and represented them at the British Universities´ Water Polo Championships. He swam for Cambridge in the British Universities´ Swimming Championships and also represented British Universities in a triangular match against Germany and France. Thwaites took up masters swimming in the 1970s.