Russell Tapp

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameRussell Pearce McDowall•Tapp
Used nameRussell•Tapp
Born15 April 1943 in Brisbane, Queensland (AUS)
Died7 January 2010 in about 65 km off the coast of Portimão, Distrito de Faro (POR)
NOC Great Britain

Biography

Russell Tapp was born in Brisbane, Australia, one of three children born to Englishman Russell Brooke Tapp, a noted pilot for Australian flag carrier Qantas Airways, and his wife Janet McDowall. He attended Tonbridge School in Kent, England from 1957 to 1961 before working as a chartered accountant in Surrey in the 1970s. In 1976, Tapp was a member of the British Olympic luge team and competed in the doubles in Innsbruck with Dick Liversedge. He suffered a knee injury in their first run when they came off at the ninth bend, however, the pair eventually completed the course, though were not given a time. Tapp was later treated at a hospital for his injuries.

Returning to Australia in the 1970s, Tapp settled in Queensland with his wife Jean and continued in his profession as an accountant. He held a private pilot’s license following after his father, and competed in the 1988 CSR Hinkler Bicentennial Air Race. Also an avid yachtsman, Tapp was killed in a yachting accident aboard the Malaika off the coast of Portimão, Portugal on 7 January 2010 after the five-member crew was caught in high winds which ended up pushing him overboard. His body was recovered by a Portuguese Navy helicopter search team in the early hours of the next day.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1976 Winter Olympics Luge GBR Russell Tapp
Doubles, Open (Olympic) Dick Liversedge AC

Special Notes