One of New Zealand’s greatest swimmers, Champion was the first New Zealander to win an Olympic gold medal - though he won it in the name of Australasia, the combined team that took part in the 1908 and 1912 Olympics.

Champion was added to the four by 200 metres relay team on the eve of the heats on the basis of his form in the 400 and 1500 metres heats. He swam the second leg of the relay, which Australasia won by nearly nine seconds from the United States.

Champion, who was originally from Norfolk Island and descended from a Bounty mutineer, won 32 national titles between 1901 and 1914 and at one stage held every national record from 220 yards to the mile.

He had been banned for life from swimming in 1901 for a supposed breach of amateur regulations, but the ban was overturned on appeal.