Alan Ford, the first man to break 50sec in 100y free, has died. Born on December 7, 1923, in the Panama Canal Zone, where his American grandfather and father worked on the canal, Ford was sent back to the United States for schooling and swimming training as a teenager. At 5 feet 9, 170 pounds, he was called the Balboa Bullet at Yale.

Under the tutelage of Yale coach Robert Kiphuth, Ford swam 100 yards in 50.6 seconds in February 1943, breaking icon Johnny Weissmuller's record of 51 seconds, which had stood for 16 years. A year later, Ford swam the distance in less than 50 seconds and by 1945 had improved his time to 49.4, a mark that stood until 1952.

Ford graduated from Yale in 1945 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and served in the Navy. World War II ensured that there were Olympic Games in 1944 Olympic Games and Ford retired from swimming but after more than two years, he returned to training with Kiphuth only months before the 1948 Games in London and finished second to teammate Walter Ris in the 100m freestyle. He was elected to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1966.

The first man to break 50sec in the 100y free is honoured by the following ISHOF tribute

After a long and valiant struggle with emphysema, Alan Ford, one of swimming’s all-time greats, died on Monday November 3, 2008.  Born in Panama City, R. de P. he moved to Sarasota from Midland, MI twenty years ago. Alan attended Panama Canal Zone schools (BHS '41), Mercersburg Academy (PA) and graduated from Yale University with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1945.  He also served as an Ensign in the US Navy during WWII.

During his prep and university careers, Alan held numerous national and world swimming records.  While at Yale, Ford broke Johnny Weismuller's seventeen-year old world record in the 100 yard freestyle.  His most prominent record was breaking the 50 second barrier for the 100 yard freestyle;  swimming's equivalent of running a sub-four minute mile in track.  Ford made a comeback after the war to win a silver medal in the 1948 Olympic Games held in London.  For all his aquatic achievements, Ford was elected to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1966.

Alan Ford spent his professional career designing and supervising the building of oil refineries, chemical, ore, and food processing plants as well as petroleum and chemical storage facilities in the US and abroad.  He retired as Vice President of International Terminals, Inc. in Bay City, MI.

“Alan was a champion in the water and out of it,” says Bruce Wigo, CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.  “We not only lost a great champion,” says Peter Daland, dean of America’s Olympic coaches, “but a great man and a gentlemen.  I’m very grateful for having been able to spend time with him this past year.”

Ford is survived by his wife of 63 years, Beverly Joy, a daughter Joy Recla of Jacksonville, FL, a son Randall of Lexington, KY, twin sons Donald of San Francisco,CA and Robert of Syracuse, NY, a sister Marilyn Foster of New York, NY, seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Watch Alan Ford in Action in 1944 and learn more at the International Swimming Hall of Fame.