Tragedy struck the swimming world this morning with the news of Linda McGill’s passing, Tokyo Olympian and the first Australian to conquer the English Channel in a grueling 11 hours and 12 minutes. A pioneer in open-water swimming, McGill was often overshadowed by rivals but remained a force of nature in the sport. She passed away on Queensland’s Gold Coast at the age of 79. Today, the swimming community unites to mourn her loss and celebrate the fearless legacy she leaves behind.

Taking her final breath on Wednesday afternoon at Robina Hospital after a long battle with emphysema, a chronic lung condition, McGill finally lay to rest. Her former teammate and Olympic legend Dawn Fraser, while talking about the legacy of McGill, stated that she was one of his “Good friends.” Her passing surely left a dent in the swimming community, as, along with being a dreamer, she was someone who loved to help the youngsters.

Known for having larger-than-life ambitions, McGill was once banned from the sport by Swimming Australia along with Fraser. But was this ban enough to stop her from conquering the waters? Nopes, after the ban, she became the first Australian to swim the English Channel back in 1965, making her a legend in the world of swimming. Interestingly, she never planned to do channel swimming at first: “I had no idea at all about Channel swimming until I decided to leave Australia after being banned.”

But a tour of Britain and Europe with her fellow Australian Olympic swimmers, Ruth Everuss and Ilsa Konrads, changed everything. Crossing the English Channel once is a lifetime achievement — but what if I told you she did it thrice? The Olympian crossed the Channel again in 1967, setting a new record at the time, one that stood for eight years.

With multiple Commonwealth medals to her name, Linda was one of the best the sport has ever seen. Her passing is a loss not just for the swimming community but for the world. Let’s take a look at what the fans had to say.

Swimming community is saddened as Linda McGill leaves her legacy behind

When the sport was struggling in Australia, she was the one who lifted it from the ashes alongside her partners. Her passing has left a dent in its enduring presence, but her legacy will continue to inspire the younger generation. Reacting to her demise, one fan wrote, “I’m very saddened to hear of the death of Linda. She was such a champion swimmer & a legend of the sport. Linda was my roommate for our first Australian Championships as part of the NSW team – Hobart 1959. That was the start of a wonderful swimming career for Linda. RIP Linda.”

As one of Australia’s top swimming talents, a fan remembered how she trained alongside the best in the swimming world,“I remember her training at Bankstown Baths under Don Talbot. She also trained with John and Elsa Konrads, Neville Hays, Ruth Everest, Sandra Morgan, just to name a few.”

Back when she was at the peak of her career, she endured a devastating car crash and a demoralising divorce that nearly broke her spirit. In her autobiography Surviving the Sea of Life: The Triumphs and Tragedies of an Australian Olympian, she recounts both her victories and the many roadblocks she faced throughout her career. Reflecting on this, a fan wrote, ““Decades ago Linda was in a terrible car accident. Even in what must have been awful pain, she never complained. I remember reading out letters from many famous people wishing her a speedy recovery. One of them was Col Joye. She was a pleasure to nurse. RIP Linda.”

Furthermore, the outpouring of respect continues, with one fan stating that her legacy will live on forever.“Linda was never forgotten. Such a Champion. RIP Lovely Lady.” Last but not the least, a fan added, “I read her biography several years ago. A great champion. Rest in Peace.”

Born on December 17, 1945, McGill grew up fantasizing about becoming one of the greats in the swimming world—and years later, she has been laid to rest with all the honors.