Lyn McClements
Encyclopedia
Lynnette Velma McClements (born 11 May 1951 in Nedlands, Western Australia
), was an Australian butterfly swimmer of the 1960s and 1970s who won a gold medal in the 100m butterfly at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics
. Her daughter, Jacqueline McKenzie, represented Australia at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics
in the 200m and 400m individual medley.
Only a year before the Olympics, McClements was almost ready to retire from competitive swimming, when her uncle Les McClements
, a professional Australian rules football
player convinced her otherwise. Coming from Perth, Western Australia
, McClements was an asthmatic, who took up swimming to relieve her ailment. Originally concentrating on the freestyle and backstroke, she switched to butterfly in the mid-1960s. In 1968, she claimed her first Australian title in the 100m butterfly, earning selection for the Mexico City Olympics, where she was considered an outsider for the event.
In the 4x100m medley relay, she combined with Lynne Watson
, Judy Playfair
and Janet Steinbeck
to claim silver behind the United States
. McClements had put Australia in the lead during the butterfly leg, but Steinbeck was overhauled by Susan Shields
in the anchor freestyle leg. McClements was said to be lacking confidence prior to the 100m butterfly, until the men's captain Michael Wenden
pulled her aside in an attempt to coax her into believing that she could win. She relegated the American pair of Ellie Daniel
and Susan Shields
into the minor medals and world record holder Ada Kok
to fourth, posting a time of 1m 5.5s. She later missed the final of the 200m butterfly.
In 1969, McClements won both the 100m and 200m butterfly titles at the Australian Championships. However, the following year, she was disqualified after being deemed to be using an illegal stroke. After being overlooked for selection for the 1970 Commonwealth Games, she retired.
Nedlands, Western Australia
The City of Nedlands is a Local Government Area in the inner western suburbs of the Western Australian capital city of Perth, located about west of Perth's central business district...
), was an Australian butterfly swimmer of the 1960s and 1970s who won a gold medal in the 100m butterfly at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
. Her daughter, Jacqueline McKenzie, represented Australia at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
in the 200m and 400m individual medley.
Only a year before the Olympics, McClements was almost ready to retire from competitive swimming, when her uncle Les McClements
Les McClements
Les McClements was an Australian rules footballer who played for Claremont in the West Australian National Football League and in Tasmania with Clarence....
, a professional Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
player convinced her otherwise. Coming from Perth, Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, McClements was an asthmatic, who took up swimming to relieve her ailment. Originally concentrating on the freestyle and backstroke, she switched to butterfly in the mid-1960s. In 1968, she claimed her first Australian title in the 100m butterfly, earning selection for the Mexico City Olympics, where she was considered an outsider for the event.
In the 4x100m medley relay, she combined with Lynne Watson
Lynne Watson
Lynne Watson , known after marriage as Lynne Bates was an Australian backstroke swimmer of the 1960s, who won a silver medal in the 4x100m medley relay at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, narrowly missing two more medals....
, Judy Playfair
Judy Playfair
Judy Playfair was an Australian breaststroke swimmer of the 1960s, who won a silver medal in the 4x100m medley relay at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics....
and Janet Steinbeck
Janet Steinbeck
Janet Steinbeck was an Australian freestyle swimmer of the 1960s, who won a silver medal in the 4x100m medley relay at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics....
to claim silver behind the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. McClements had put Australia in the lead during the butterfly leg, but Steinbeck was overhauled by Susan Shields
Susan Shields
Susanne Marie "Susan" Shields is a former American swimmer. Shields won a bronze medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.-References:* , from http://www.sports-reference.com/; retrieved 2009-12-05....
in the anchor freestyle leg. McClements was said to be lacking confidence prior to the 100m butterfly, until the men's captain Michael Wenden
Michael Wenden
Michael Vincent Wenden AM MBE was a champion swimmer who represented Australia in the 1968 Summer Olympics and 1972 Summer Olympics...
pulled her aside in an attempt to coax her into believing that she could win. She relegated the American pair of Ellie Daniel
Ellie Daniel
Eleanor Suzanne Daniel is an American swimmer and olympic champion. She competed at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, where she received a gold medal in 4 × 100 m medley relay, a silver medal in 100 m butterley, and a bronze medal in 200 m butterfly...
and Susan Shields
Susan Shields
Susanne Marie "Susan" Shields is a former American swimmer. Shields won a bronze medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.-References:* , from http://www.sports-reference.com/; retrieved 2009-12-05....
into the minor medals and world record holder Ada Kok
Ada Kok
Aagje Kok is a former swimmer who ranked among the world's best in the butterfly stroke category during the 1960s....
to fourth, posting a time of 1m 5.5s. She later missed the final of the 200m butterfly.
In 1969, McClements won both the 100m and 200m butterfly titles at the Australian Championships. However, the following year, she was disqualified after being deemed to be using an illegal stroke. After being overlooked for selection for the 1970 Commonwealth Games, she retired.