Paul MARSHALL

Born in Ghana, Paul Marshall was just a few weeks old when adopted by a Scottish family and was raised in Dundee and educated at the town's Harris Academy. He represented Scotland in five events at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Canada and narrowly missed out on medals in the two relays and individual 100m backstroke event. At the Moscow Olympic Games Marshall finished last in his semi-final of the 100m backstroke and swam the opening leg in the heat of the medley relay but was replaced by Gary Abraham in the final where the British claimed the bronze medal.

He retired from competitive swimming soon afterwards and, after a year working in local radio, began a career in the Royal Air Force where he served for over 20 years and rose to the rank of Squadron Leader. Paul Marshall died in 2009 after a two year battle with cancer. At the time of his death he remained the only black swimmer to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games.