Born in Winnipeg, Canadian swimming legend, Ron Jacks’ sensational swimming career spans over 60 years – one that began as a kid swimming at the Vancouver YMCA and went on to include 14 Olympics either as a competitor or coach. He set seven Canadian records between 1965 and 1972, plus won Commonwealth and Pan American Games medals swimming freestyle and butterfly. Jacks represented Canada at three Olympics (Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968, Munich 1972). He was part of the 4×200-metre freestyle relay that finished fourth in Mexico City. Among his many accomplishments, Jacks has coached athletes to medals at the Olympics, Paralympics and open-water events.
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Some of the top athletes Jacks has coached include Olympic bronze medallists Shannon Smith (Montreal 1976) and Pamela Rai (Los Angeles 1984); bronze medallist in the 10-kilometre open swim, Richard Weinberger (London 2012 Olympics); Greg Streppel, the 1994 World Open Water Champion; and Stephanie Dixon, a seven-time Paralympic gold medallist.
Jacks became head coach for the Arbutus Swim Club and founded the Vancouver Pacific Swim Club. He was hired as head coach with the Hyack Swim Club in New Westminster, B.C., from 1974 to 1984 then took over the Victoria Amateur Swim Club in 1984. He helped establish Island Swimming in 1988 and in 2002 became director of swimming with Pacific Coast Swimming.