Swimming stalwart dies on birthday

New Zealand swimming administrator Bill Matson died suddenly yesterday, on his 72nd birthday.

A statement from Fina, the world governing body for swimming, said Matson's death followed surgery he underwent during the last days of the world championships in Shanghai, China, which finished on July 31.

Swimming New Zealand chairman Murray Coulter said Matson's sudden death came as a shock.

"We had all expectwed he would make a speedy recovery from his surgery. It's an absolute tragedy for the family and for the sport of swimming in Wellington, in New Zealand and around the world," Coulter said.

Matson had been involved in swimming administration for over 40 years, and was a former president and life member of Swimming New Zealand. He also served on the New Zealand Olympic Committee board.

Matson was also president of the Oceania Swimming Association from its inception in 1991 until 2008.

Matson was elected to Fina in 1996 and 2000 as a member of 22-strong Fina Bureau. In 2005 and 2009, he was elected to the Bureau as vice president. Matson was also Fina's protocol officer from 1997-2009.

"Bill's achievements are many and varied in this sport," Coulter said. "More importantly, while Bill was exacting in ensuring things were done perfectly, he was always a man of the people, happy to play a role on pool deck and to provide encouraging advice to anyone who sought it."

Matson's sudden death was a great loss for Fina and Oceania, the Fina statement said: "Bill's example and devotion for the aquatic sports will remain a reference in our mind and heart."

Matson is survived by his wife Joan, two children and four grandchildren.

- NZPA