Australian pentathlete and coach who won Olympic medals and trained numerous champions, revolutionizing the sport with innovative training methods.
Forbes Carlile is renowned as Australia's first post-World War II Olympics swimming coach, and later, the country's first competitor in the modern pentathlon at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He holds the unique distinction of being the only person to have coached and competed at the Olympic Games.
Born on June 3, 1921, in Armadale, Victoria, Carlile's fascination with human physiology led him to pursue a Master of Science degree from the University of Sydney under the guidance of Professor Frank Cotton. He later lectured at the university, laying the foundation for his groundbreaking work in elite athlete training methods.
Carlile's coaching career began in 1946 at the Palm Beach rock pool, north of Sydney. His innovative approaches, including interval workouts, pace clocks, and log books, heart rate tests, training under stress, and T-Wave studies of the ventricles, revolutionized the sport. He developed techniques such as even-paced swimming and the use of two-beat kicks for long-distance events.
Under his guidance, numerous notable Olympians emerged, including Shane Gould, Karen Moras, Gail Neall, John Davies, Terry Gathercole, John Ryan, and Ian O'Brien. In 1972, 15-year-old Gould held world records simultaneously in the 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1500 meters freestyle, as well as the 200m individual medley.
Carlile's impressive coaching résumé includes:
He withdrew as head coach at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Carlile's work on elite athlete training methods led to the publication of his book, "Forbes Carlile on Swimming" (London, 1963), the first modern book on competitive swimming. His pioneering work in human physiology and sports science continues to influence the sport to this day.
Forbes Carlile was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his contributions to the sport.
Forbes Carlile's impact on modern swimming coaching is immeasurable. His innovative approaches, pioneering spirit, and dedication to the sport have inspired generations of coaches and athletes. His legacy continues to ripple through the swimming community, shaping the sport into what it is today.
Forbes Carlile passed away on August 2, 2016, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that will continue to inspire and influence the world of swimming for years to come.
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