Wigan Album

No info, but if he says it's twelve o'clock, it's twelve o'clock!

You are right - He is one big guy! Successful, too...
He has his own, pretty fascinating wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Sydney_Smith
So, it looks like he competed in 4 different Olympics (1908, 1912, 1920 and 1924), WINNING GOLD IN THREE of them (honestly, how is it that these guys are not listed in you 'Famous Wigonians' section???) and he was the first competing athlete to ever carry the flag for Great Britain. How about that? Such a shame this glorious sporting past seems to have been pretty much forgotten. let's see what else we can find out!

Full name: Charles Sydney Smith
Gender: Male
Height: 6-1 (186 cm)
Weight: 231 lbs (105 kg)
Born: January 26, 1879 in Worsley Mesnes, Pemberton, Greater Manchester, Great Britain
Died: April 6, 1951 (Aged 72.070) in Southport, Merseyside, Great Britain
Affiliations: Salford SC, Salford (GBR) / Southport Swimming Club, Southport (GBR)
Country: GBR Great Britain
Sport: Water Polo

Medals: 3 Gold (3 Total)


Charles Smith of Salford SC captained the winning British water polo team at the 1908 Olympics and after joining Southport SC he won two more gold medals in 1912 and 1920. At the time of winning his third gold in Antwerp in 1920, Smith was 41 years and 270 days old and is the oldest water polo gold medallist in Olympic history. He made a fourth Olympic appearance in 1924 at the age of 45, was England’s goal-keeper for 25 years from 1902 to 1926, and in recognition of his talents he was inducted into the Swimming Hall of Fame in Florida.



Results

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Games

Age

City

Sport

Event

Team

NOC

Rank

Medal



1908 Summer 29 London Water Polo Men's Water Polo Great Britain GBR 1 Gold
1912 Summer 33 Stockholm Water Polo Men's Water Polo Great Britain GBR 1 Gold
1920 Summer 41 Antwerpen Water Polo Men's Water Polo Great Britain GBR 1 Gold
1924 Summer 45 Paris Water Polo Men's Water Polo Great Britain GBR 10T



Men's Water Polo

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Games

Age

City

Sport

Team

NOC

Phase

Unit

Rank

Date

Result

G


1908 Summer 29 London Water Polo Great Britain GBR Final Round Match 1/2 1 1908-07-22 GBR 9, BEL 2 0
1912 Summer 33 Stockholm Water Polo Great Britain GBR Final Round Match 1/2 1 1912-07-13 GBR 8, AUT 0
1912 Summer 33 Stockholm Water Polo Great Britain GBR Semi-Finals Match #2 1 1912-07-11 GBR 6, SWE 3 0
1912 Summer 33 Stockholm Water Polo Great Britain GBR Round One Match #1 1 1912-07-07 GBR 7, BEL 5 0
1920 Summer 41 Antwerpen Water Polo Great Britain GBR Final Round Match 1/2 1 1920-08-27 GBR 3, BEL 2 0
1920 Summer 41 Antwerpen Water Polo Great Britain GBR Semi-Finals Match #1 1 1920-08-26 GBR 7, USA 2 0
1920 Summer 41 Antwerpen Water Polo Great Britain GBR Quarter-Finals Match #2 1 1920-08-24 GBR 9, ESP 0
1924 Summer 45 Paris Water Polo Great Britain GBR Round One Match #2 2 1924-07-13 HUN 7, GBR 6

Joseph, that's wonderful detail! Where did you get it from? Is it from a website, or do you have access to records somewhere else? I'd be very, very keen to explore your source - especially for anything on Frederick Vernon Swift, but also on his team mates, likely opponents and water polo in general at the time. Any leads you have would be most welcome. Thank you!

Although... I must question your source a little as he DEFINITELY was in the WIGAN S.C. for a good number of years - he appears on many photographs. And yet Wigan is not mentioned at all in your entry. I wonder if there's an error, or if he was just so keen that he played for several teams simultaneously and one got overlooked!

Are we absolutely sure he didn't also turn out as a prop forward for Wigan RL in his spare time! What a story, the inscription on the photo leaves no doubt he was with Wigan at the time this photo was taken - makes sense he was born in Pemberton. As far as I'm concerned you've uncovered a Wigan legend.

Sally, here I the link with the info, I also thought it funny not mentioning Wigan. http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/sm/charles-smith-1.html

Just copy and paste it into your browser.

George you will notice he was born in Worsley Mesnes which was part of the ward of Pemberton at that time.

He has such a "modern" face that, coupled with the writing across his arm looking like the current fashion for a tatoo sleeve he could be a rugby or football player now enjoying huge success. This series of photo's is what Wigan World does best, bringing new information to us who think we know all there is to know about our home town! Thanks Ron.