Jack Swart (born 1954) is a former New Zealand road cyclist.

Jack Swart
Swart at opening of Swart Lane (1987)
Born(1954-11-27)27 November 1954
Tuakau, New Zealand
Known forNZ road cyclist

Jack Swart
Medal record
Men's cycling
Representing  New Zealand
British Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 1978 Edmonton Team Pursuit
Bronze medal – third place 1982 Brisbane Team Time Trial

In the 1978 Commonwealth Games he competed in the 4000m team pursuit, coming 2nd for silver; and the 4000m individual pursuit. .

In the 1982 Commonwealth Games he competed in the Team time trial, coming 3rd for bronze; and the Road Race, coming 15th.

He was not chosen for the 1984 Summer Olympics despite a world-class performance in the Coors International in Colorado, the selectors apparently regarded him as a tour rider not an individual racer despite having won two New Zealand road championships.[1]

He was described as "the blond-haired giant of New Zealand cycling for the best part of a decade through to 1986". Swart and Blair Stockwell were the only two riders to win the "Dulux North Island Tour" three times.[2]

He was born in Tuakau to a dairy farmer from the Netherlands; his younger brother Stephen Swart was also a champion road cyclist.

Honorific eponym

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Swart Lane, in the Hamilton suburb of Chartwell, is named in Jack Swart's honour.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Williams p256-7
  2. ^ Williams p252
  3. ^ "Honouring sportspeople". Waikato Times. 2 November 2012. p. 9.
  • Des Williams (2006). Born to Thunder: Champions of New Zealand Cycling. Last Side Publishing, Hamilton. pp. 252–264. ISBN 0-473-10929-8. Jack & Stephen Swart: Serious Tour riders
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