The Olympic family is saddened by the passing of 1952 Olympian Ernest Chapman OAM at the age of 86.

Chapman was a member of the Australian men’s eight crew that won bronze at the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, Finland.

Before Chapman and crew stormed the podium, all of Australia’s Olympic rowing medals had been won by scullers. Together Chapman, Robert Tinning (bow), Nimrod Greenwood, David Anderson, Geoffrey Williamson, Mervyn Finlay, Edward Pain, Phillip Cayzer (stroke) and Thomas Chessel (cox) produced the best performance to date by an Australian sweep-oared crew on the international stage.

Having served as President and Vice President of Sydney Rowing Club, Chapman was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to rowing.

Chapman was also an office member of the Kapyla Club – a network of the 84 competitors Australia sent to Finland for the 1952 Games.

Emblematic of Ernie’s spirit, he was always heard to reply to the question – “How are you?” with the phrase “Every day is a bonus”.

His full biography can be found here >

AOC