Kevin Williamson competed in the men's 400 metres freestyle and 1,500 metres freestyle at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, finishing outside the leading places in events dominated by the extraordinary American and East German swimming programmes - but not before setting an Irish record in the 1,500 metres of 16:11.76 that survived for twenty-eight years.
From Terenure in Dublin and educated at Terenure College, Williamson arrived in Montreal in an fatigued state after concluding a punishing training regime in the six weeks prior to the Games and immediately after completing his Leaving Certificate examination..
As part of his preparation, he spent a month in the USA in January 1976 being coached by five-time USA Olympic swimming coach Don Gambril. His father Larry Williamson served as team manager-coach. He went on to compete at the Moscow 1980 Olympics.
Swimming
