Jack Weyman Nelson (November 8, 1931 – November 5, 2014) was an American competition

swimmer Swimming is an individual or team racing sport that requires the use of one's entire body to move through water. The sport takes place in pools or open water (e.g., in a sea or lake). Competitive swimming is one of the most popular Olympic ...

and swimming coach. Multiple teenage girls have accused him of sexual assault. Nelson competed at the

1956 Summer Olympics The 1956 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, from 22 November to 8 December 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, whi ...

in Melbourne, Australia representing the United States. He later served as a head coach for the U.S. Olympic women's swim team at the

1976 Summer Olympics Events January * January 3 – The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enters into force. * January 5 – The Pol Pot regime proclaims a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea. * January 11 – The 1976 Phi ...

in Montreal, Quebec. Nelson was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Coach" in 1994, and the American Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009.

Career

Nelson represented the United States at the

in Melbourne, Australia, and competed in the men's 200-meter butterfly, finishing fourth in the event final. He later served as the head coach for the U.S. Olympic women's swim team at the

in Montreal, Quebec.

Honors

Nelson was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Coach" in 1994, and the American Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009.

Personal life

Nelson died on November 5, 2014, of complications from

Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegeneration, neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsens. It is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in short-term me ...

; he was 82. Nelson has been accused by Diana Nyad, a former pupil, of rape. Nyad and her teammate first reported sexual assault incidents to the headmaster of Pine Crest, William McMillan, in 1971–72; McMillan subsequently terminated Nelson's contract. Nyad more recently said publicly that Nelson molested her beginning when she was 14 years old and continuing until she graduated from high school at Pine Crest School, as he did with other girls he coached. The incidents of sexual assault are depicted in the biographical sports film '' Nyad'' released in 2023. Nelson is portrayed by actor Eric T. Miller.

References

External links

* * * * 1931 births 2014 deaths American male butterfly swimmers American swimming coaches Miami Hurricanes swimming coaches Miami Hurricanes men's swimmers Olympic swimmers for the United States People from Walker County, Georgia Sportspeople from the Chattanooga metropolitan area Swimmers at the 1955 Pan American Games Swimmers at the 1956 Summer Olympics Pan American Games competitors for the United States Deaths from dementia in Florida Deaths from Alzheimer's disease 20th-century American sportsmen {{US-swimming-bio-stub

Career

Honors

Personal life

See also

References

External links