Australia's only Olympic gold medallist to die in combat has been honoured at a graveside ceremony in a small French village.
Cecil Healy, a gold and silver medal winning swimmer at the 1912 Stockholm Games, was gunned down at the Somme in France on August 29, 1918, some days before World War One ended.
Ahead of the Paris Games starting next week, Australia's dual Olympians Kaarle McCulloch and Michelle Ford laid wreaths at Healy's grave in the village of Assevillers, north of the Olympic city.
Healy, a member of the 19th (Sportsman’s) Battalion, is renowned not only for his qualities as a swimmer but for his act of sportsmanship at the 1912 Games.
Healy denied himself a certain gold medal by insisting the race favourite Duke Kahanamoku be allowed to compete in the 100m freestyle final despite the American champion missing his semi-final due to an apparent mix up.
Healy’s stance led to officials holding a special semi-final, which included the American, who went on to win the final with Healy picking up the silver.
Healey felt that without Duke Kahanamoku in the race, any gold medal would be tarnished.
In 2018, the AOC announced the Cecil Healy award for outstanding sportsmanship.
Australia's deputy chef de mission and dual Olympic track cyclist McCulloch described Healy as an inspirational Australian.
"(His) memory is a powerful presence in the village of Assevillers, they have embraced his memory and his achievements," McCulloch said.
“What stands out is his leadership, his bravery and his sportsmanship.
"And of course, he was such a wonderful athlete. Accounts of his life paint a vivid picture of a great Australian who lived his Olympic values."
