Charles Sydney SMITH

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.