Passages: Rex Aubrey, Australian Olympian and Commonwealth Games Medalist, Dies at 86
A 1952 Australian Olympian, Rex Aubrey died on April 20 at the age of 86.
Born in Parkes, New South Wales on February 4, 1935, Aubrey developed an affinity for the water at a young age, spending countless hours in the water, especially at the Parkes Olympic Pool. He became an Australian 13-and-under champion in the 55-yard freestyle in 1948, and turned that early success into greater acclaim.
A standout in the 110-yard freestyle and 220 freestyle, Aubrey earned the chance to represent Australia in the 100-meter freestyle at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. After comfortably advancing out of the preliminaries and semifinals, Aubrey placed sixth in the final, which was won by American Clarke Scholes.
Following the Helsinki Games, Aubrey made the decision to not return to Australia. Instead, he traveled to the United States, along with countryman John Marshall, and enrolled at Yale University, where he would be mentored by American coaching legend Robert Kiphuth. During his time at Yale, Aubrey became an NCAA champion in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle and set the NCAA record in the 100 freestyle, clocking a time of 49.0.
In 1954, Aubrey competed at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games and earned a bronze medal in the 110-yard freestyle and a gold medal as a member of Australia’s 880-yard freestyle relay. Following his competitive career, Aubrey served in several Athletic Director positions, including at the Detroit Athletic Club.
He also had a world record for the 100 freestyle with the time of 49.0