Duncan Laing

Andrew James Duncan Laing CNZM OBE (20 June 1933 – 13 September 2008), generally known as Duncan Laing, was a New Zealand swimming coach based in Dunedin. He coached Olympian Danyon Loader, winner of two gold medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and a silver medal at Barcelona in 1992,[1][2] and Philip Rush, current world record holder for the fastest two and three way swim of the English Channel.[3] He began teaching at Moana Pool in 1966, and over forty years training in Dunedin included 11 Olympic athletes.[2][4] In 2003, Michael Phelps visited New Zealand to train under Laing.[5] He had since retired from professional coaching, and received treatment in 2006 for melanoma on his leg and a brain tumour.[6]

He married Betty Burgess in 1951, and they had six children, four sons and two daughters (one deceased).[7] Besides coaching he was an Otago rugby selector in the 1980s, and ran the Moana House rehabilitation centre with his wife.[3]

Laing was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1993 Queen's Birthday Honours, and a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to sport, in the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours.[8][9]

He was born in New Plymouth on 20 June 1933 and died in Dunedin on 13 September 2008 at the age of 77.[7][10]

One of the pools within the Moana Pool complex was renamed the Duncan Laing Pool in November 2010 in his honour.[11]

References
  1. "Another great honour for Duncan Laing, CNZM, OBE". Swimming New Zealand. 6 June 2006. Archived from the original on 23 October 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  2. McMurran, Alistair (6 March 2008). "Swimming: Plaque in honour of Laing's legacy". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  3. Edwards, Brent (15 September 2008). "Champion coach was an inspiration". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
  4. "Swim Coach Duncan Laing to have Tumor Surgery". Timed Finals. 21 September 2006. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  5. "How Phelps got his edge in NZ". 18 August 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2008.
  6. "Swimming: Testimonial dinner for iconic coach Laing". New Zealand Herald. 22 September 2006. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  7. Obituary in Dominion Post 18 September 2008 page B3
  8. "Queen's Birthday Honours: Laing on honours list – again". New Zealand Herald. 5 June 2006. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  9. "Queen's Birthday honours list 2006". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 5 June 2006. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  10. "Master coach Duncan Laing dies". Otago Daily Times. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
  11. Constantine, Ellie (5 November 2010). "City swimming greats honoured". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 10 January 2013.


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