NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Jimmy McLane '53, one of the most decorated performers in the illustrious history of Ya
le swimming and diving, passed away on Dec. 13 at the age of 90. McLane was a three-time Olympic gold medalist and helped the Bulldogs capture NCAA championships in 1951 and 1953 under renowned coach Bob Kiphuth.
 
"Yale has lost a true legend with the passing of Jimmy McLane," said Jim Henry, the Robert J.H. Kiphuth Coach of men's and women's programs at Yale. "Jimmy helped create the foundation of success for Yale University's swimming and diving team for generations to follow."
 
McLane's famous advice to future Olympians remains an inspiration to Henry.
 
"Medals are important to the average person," McLane said. "They are not important to me. When I remember my achievements, I remember the work and training not the medal. That's what is most valuable."
 
At Yale, McLane was one of the iconic 3 M's, joining fellow gold medalists John Marshall and Wayne Moore. The trio led the Bulldogs to the pinnacle of the collegiate swimming world in the early 1950s.
 
"They were part of the reason why many high school swimmers (including me) chose to attend Yale," Steve Clark '65, who won three Olympic gold medals, told SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.
 
As a senior at Yale in 1953, McLane won three events at the National AAU Indoor Championships.
 
McLane, who attended Phillips Academy, Andover, had already made his mark on the swimming world before he arrived at Yale. He qualified for the Olympics in 1948, winning two medals in London - gold with his 19:18.5 in the 1500 freestyle and silver in the 400 freestyle with a time of 4:43.4. In addition, he was part of a world record in London on the USA's 4x200m free relay team (8:46.0) for the gold medal.
 
McLane made the USA Olympic team again four years later while attending Yale. In Helsinki, he captured a gold medal as part of the 4x200m relay and finished fourth in the 1500m free (18:51.5) and seventh in 400m free (4:40.3).
 
McLane ended his swimming career as the U.S. team's oldest Pan American champion at 24 by winning three gold medals.
 
In 1970, he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
 
Following Yale, McLane had a distinguished career in business, working for Life Magazine and General Mills. He retired in the middle of his adult life due to Multiple Sclerosis but stayed active and fully embraced life.
 
"We will always remember this true champion," Henry said.