05.09.2012

Australian water polo champion Peter Montgomery AM is one of ten individuals to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) at the 49th Annual Induction Ceremony awards to be held in the USA next May.

Montgomery, the Vice President of the Australian Olympic Committee, has been recognised under the Contributor category for his tireless work and dedication to the sport of water polo and his involvement with the Olympic Movement for over 40 years.

The former Australian captain and four-time Olympian will join fellow Australian Water Polo legends William Berge Phillips and Tom Hoad as being recognised among the sport's elite as Contributor members of the ISHOF.

The Sydney-based Montgomery said he was humbled by the selection and was honoured to join his former team mate, Hoad, and his former mentor William Berge Phillips, in being acknowledged by the ISHOF.

"It's an honour," Montgomery said. "Becoming an inductee as a contributor is recognition of a lot of activity for a long time.

"So I'm thrilled not only personally, but thrilled also on behalf of our water polo community."

Montgomery, who has the rare distinction of being a multiple Olympian as both an athlete and an official, made a name for himself in the pool playing 441 tests for his country including 167 as skipper - before dedicating his honorary services to the development of the game and the Olympic Movement.

Montgomery has carried out numerous high ranking roles at FINA, the IOC, the Australian Olympic Committee and the Australian Water Polo Inc. including four consecutive Olympics as Australia's Assistant Chef De-Mission.

He has also carried out positions as the first President of the World Olympians Association, member of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport and founding member of the Executive of Australian Water Polo.

Among his finest achievements is his contribution to the Olympic Movement in Australia. He was a member of the Sydney 2000 bid and lobby committee, before playing a significant role - along with AOC President John Coates - in securing the inclusion of women's water polo at the Sydney Games.

"I am delighted that Peter Montgomery's massive contribution to water polo and the Olympic Movement, across so many areas, has been recognised by his induction in the International Swimming Hall of Fame," Coates said. "He is a truly remarkable Australian."

Australian water polo has prospered during this time with Water Polo Australia CEO Chris Harrison praising Montgomery for not only influencing how the game is played in Australia but its development around the world.

"Peter has been a tremendous servant to the game in Australia as a captain and player and has gone on to make big changes to the sport on an international level, which are still in effect today," Harrison said.

Montgomery will officially be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame on May 11, 2013 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Click here for Peter Montgomery's ISHOF Blurb

The International Swimming Hall of Fame was established in 1965 and is a not-for-profit educational organisation promoting the benefits and importance of swimming as a key to fitness, good health, improved quality of life and the water safety of all adults and children. It accomplishes this through the operation of the Museum of Swimming, a shrine dedicated to the preservation of swimming history and the memory of famous swimmers, divers, water polo players, synchronized swimmers, lifesavers and others, whose lives and accomplishments inspire, educate and serve as positive role models for future generations.