Percy Knowles

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Percival Andrew Knowles (born 8 November 1930) is a Bahamian former sailor who competed in the 1960, 1964, 1968, and 1972 Summer Olympics. [1]

Contents

Early life

Percival Andrew Knowles Sr was born on 8 November 1930 in Nassau, Bahamas. He was the son of John Henry Knowles and his second wife, Irma Pinder Knowles. His elder half-brother, from his father's first marriage, was the Olympian Durward Knowles. [2]

Sporting career

Knowles represented the Bahamas in sailing at the 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1972 Olympics. [1] [3] In Tokyo, Knowles competed in the 5.5 class. [4]

In 1963, he became a Vice Commander of the new Bahamas Air-Sea Rescue Auxilliary (BASRA) organisation. [5]

Over the years, Knowles has continued to participate in competitive sport, taking part in Masters swimming tournaments. [6] In 2010, he competed at the US National Masters Swimming Championships where he won a bronze in the 100 yd breaststroke [7] and, later that year, at the World Masters Championships in Sweden. [6] In 2017, he won the 100 and 200 yd breaststroke and the 100 and 200 yd freestyle in the 85-89 age group at the 2017 Auburn Masters Invitational swim meet. [8] In 2024, the 93 year old Knowles, his son Andy Knowles, grandson Jeremy Knowles, and 14 year-old grandson competed in the Bahamas National Swimming Championships in the 4 x 50 m team relay in an unprecedented "generations" team. [9]

Personal life

Knowles married Frances Ingraham in 1953. The couple had two sons and two daughter. Their son, Bruce Knowles is also a former Olympian. [2]

References

  1. 1 2 Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Percy Knowles". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Making a Splash (Outside of the Pool)" . The Charlotte Observer. 4 Aug 2008. pp. A1, A6. Retrieved 5 January 2026– via newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ Hardin, Ed (Apr 22, 2012). "Greensboro Aquatic Center grows up this week" . News and Record. Greensboro, NC. pp. C1, C7. Retrieved 6 Jan 2026– via newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Hardie, Jim (16 Sep 1964). "Skeet Shooting Set Tomorrow at Trail Glades" . The Miami News– via newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Bahamas Initiates Rescue Operation" . Fort Lauderdale News. 4 August 1963. pp. 7D. Retrieved 6 Jan 2026– via newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 "SWIFT Masters Swimmers win 9 medals at XIII FINA World's". Archived from the original on 2018-02-26. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  7. ↑ "Swift Wins 3 Medals at US Masters Swimming Nationals". Tribune newspaper. Nassau, Bahamas. June 2, 2010. p. 10. Retrieved 6 Jan 2026.
  8. ↑ "Percy and Andy Knowles bring home the hardware". Tribune newspaper. Nassau, Bahamas. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 5 Jan 2026.
  9. ↑ Kelly, Omri (Jul 5, 2024). "Generation swim for the Knowles family was one for the ages". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 5 Jan 2026.
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