David Fletcher (swimmer)

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David Fletcher
Personal information
NationalityBritish (Northern Irish)
Bornc.1936
Sport
Sport Swimming
Event
 Breaststroke
ClubVictoria SC, Belfast

David Fletcher (born c.1936) is a former swimmer from Northern Ireland, who represented Northern Ireland at the British Empire Games (now Commonwealth Games).

Biography

Fletcher was an initially a member of the Beaver Swimming Club [1] before he joined the Victoria Swimming Club in Belfast. [2] He was the 1952 Irish junior breaststroke champion and the Ulster champion, [3] in addition to representing Ulster at senior level. [4] [5]

Fletcher specialsed in the breaststroke [6] and broke the eight-year-old Irish breaststroke record in July 1954. [7]

He represented the 1954 Northern Irish Team [8] at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada, participating in the 220 yards breaststroke event. [9]

His selection for the games had caused a protest from the Post Office ASC, who claimed that their own swimmer Alan McCrum had beaten Fletcher in a trials event. [10] However, after the games he was given a civic reception by the Lord and Mayor and Lady Mayoress at the Belfast City Hall. [11]

References

  1. ↑ "Close finishes expected in Ulster swimming championships" . Northern Whig. 3 July 1953. p. 9. Retrieved 13 November 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
  2. ↑ "Neptune gala" . Northern Whig. 26 April 1954. p. 5. Retrieved 13 November 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ↑ "Ulster swim team for An Tostal gala" . Northern Whig. 16 April 1954. p. 6. Retrieved 13 November 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ↑ "Ulster swim team for An Tostal gala" . Northern Whig. 16 April 1954. p. 6. Retrieved 13 November 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ↑ "Ulster team is on expected lines" . Ireland's Saturday Night. 17 April 1954. p. 5. Retrieved 13 November 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ↑ "Swimming" . Belfast News-Letter. 8 March 1954. p. 8. Retrieved 13 November 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ↑ "Off-to battle for Ulster in Vancouver" . Belfast Telegraph. 19 July 1954. p. 10. Retrieved 13 November 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ↑ "Northern Ireland Vancouver 1954". Commonwealth Games Federation. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  9. ↑ "Swimming 220 Yard Breaststroke - Men Vancouver 1954". Commonwealth Games Federation. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  10. ↑ "Protest over Empire Games selecion" . Belfast Telegraph. 24 June 1954. p. 10. Retrieved 13 November 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ↑ "Ulster Athletes Entertained" . Belfast News-Letter. 4 September 1954. p. 3. Retrieved 13 November 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
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