Introduction
John Allan "Jack" Doms (born 1926/1927) is a former New Zealand swimmer. He won gold and silver medals at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, becoming the first New Zealander to win an individual swimming gold medal at a Britsh Empire or Commonwealth Games.
Biography
Born in c.1927, Doms married Maureen Holman in 1952. Holman is also a swimmer of some note, having won the women's 440 yards at the New Zealand national championships in 1948. The couple went on to have three daughters.
At the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games Doms won the gold medal in the men's 220 yards breaststroke — the first New Zealander to win an individual swimming championship at a British Empire and Commonwealth Games. He also won the silver medal in the men's 330 yards medley relay with teammates Lincoln Hurring and Buddy Lucas. Doms retired from competitve swimming after the 1958 national championships.
Aged 55, Doms ran his first marathon after meeting Arthur Lydiard while playing golf. As of 2004, he had completed 78 marathons and countless half-marathons.
In 2000, Doms was one of about 300 New Zealanders who carried the Olympic torch during the New Zealand leg of the 2000 Summer Olympics torch relay.