David Rolfe (swimmer) facts for kids
Action shot of Rolfe doing backstroke in the 200 m medley SM9 at the 2000 Summer Paralympics
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| Nationality |  Australia |
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| Born | 26 June 1964 Inverell, New South Wales |
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| Died | 7 January 2015 (aged 50) Gold Coast, Queensland |
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Medal record
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David John Rolfe (born June 26, 1964 – died January 7, 2015) was an amazing Australian athlete. He was a swimmer and a paracanoe competitor. David won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games. This was for the Men's 4 × 100 m Medley 34 pts swimming event. He also competed in world championships for paracanoeing.
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About David Rolfe
David Rolfe was born on June 26, 1964, in Inverell, New South Wales. He lived on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
A New Path After an Accident
In 1993, David was in a serious car accident. This accident caused him to lose his right leg above the knee. While he was recovering in the hospital, Sydney was chosen to host the 2000 Summer Paralympics. This news inspired David. He decided he wanted to compete at the Games.
David passed away on January 7, 2015, due to health problems. He was a father to two sons, Eli and Laban. When he wasn't swimming or canoeing, David loved cycling, rock climbing, and sailing.
David's Swimming Career
David Rolfe started his international swimming career in 1998. He competed at the IPC Swimming World Championships.
Paralympic Success
At the 2000 Sydney Games, David won a bronze medal. This was in the Men's 4 × 100 m Medley 34 pts event. He also competed in three other swimming races:
- Men's 100 m Backstroke S9
- Men's 100 m Breaststroke SB8
- Men's 200 m Medley SM9
He did not win medals in these other events. At 36 years old, David was one of the older athletes at the Sydney Games. He played a big role in helping the team. He mentored younger athletes and helped everyone feel like a team. David stopped competitive swimming three years after the Sydney Games.
David's Canoeing Career
David first started whitewater paddling in 1991. For several years, he worked as a whitewater rafting guide.
Return to the Water
In 2009, David returned to canoeing. This time, he focused on paracanoeing. His goal was to compete at the 2016 Rio Games. Paracanoeing was going to be a new sport at those Games. David was a strong supporter of the sport. He even appeared in a video to help promote it.
In 2010, David explained why he switched from canoeing to swimming. He said, "I had been water rafting and white water kayaking before my accident. But because kayaking wasn't anywhere near Paralympic status then, I took up swimming." Swimming was the only other water sport in the Paralympic program at the time.
World Championships
David Rolfe was Australia's first paracanoe athlete to compete at a world championship. He raced in the Men's LTA K1 event. This was at the 2010 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Poznań, Poland. He also competed at the 2011 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships.
