For decades in Hamilton learning to swim from Jimmy Thompson was part of your youth.
Thompson probably taught more than 60,000 children how to swim between 1932 and 1966 when he was swimming director and Hamilton’s Municipal Pool. The pool was renamed in his honour in 1971.
Thompson started the Learn to Swim program, introduced waterpolo to the Hamilton Aquatic Club and initiated swimming programs for physically disabled children and adults.
He was head coach of the HAC from 1932 to 1966. He was named Canada’s swimming coach of the year in 1964.
Thompson is a former Hamilton Citizen of the Year. He has been inducted into both the Canadian Swimming Hall of Fame and the Ontario Aquatic Hall of Fame.