Percy Knowles

Percival Andrew Knowles (born 8 November 1930) is a Bahamian former sailor who competed in the 1960, 1964, 1968, and 1972 Summer Olympics.

Early life

Percival Andrew Knowles Sr was born on 8 November 1930 in Nassau, Bahamas. He was the son of John Henry Knowles and his second wife, Irma Pinder Knowles. His elder half-brother, from his father's first marriage, was the Olympian Durward Knowles.

Sporting career

Knowles represented the Bahamas in sailing at the 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1972 Olympics. In Tokyo, Knowles competed in the 5.5 class.

In 1963, he became a Vice Commander of the new Bahamas Air-Sea Rescue Auxilliary (BASRA) organisation.

Over the years, Knowles has continued to participate in competitive sport, taking part in Masters swimming tournaments. In 2010, he competed at the US National Masters Swimming Championships where he won a bronze in the 100 yd breaststroke and, later that year, at the World Masters Championships in Sweden. In 2017, he won the 100 and 200 yd breaststroke and the 100 and 200 yd freestyle in the 85-89 age group at the 2017 Auburn Masters Invitational swim meet. In 2024, the 93 year old Knowles, his son Andy Knowles, grandson Jeremy Knowles, and 14 year-old grandson competed in the Bahamas National Swimming Championships in the 4 x 50 m team relay in an unprecedented "generations" team.

Personal life

Knowles married Frances Ingraham in 1953. The couple had two sons and two daughter. Their son, Bruce Knowles is also a former Olympian.

References

  1. 1 2 Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Percy Knowles". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Making a Splash (Outside of the Pool)". The Charlotte Observer. 4 Aug 2008. pp. A1, A6. Retrieved 5 January 2026 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ Hardin, Ed (Apr 22, 2012). "Greensboro Aquatic Center grows up this week". News and Record. Greensboro, NC. pp. C1, C7. Retrieved 6 Jan 2026 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Hardie, Jim (16 Sep 1964). "Skeet Shooting Set Tomorrow at Trail Glades". The Miami News – via newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Bahamas Initiates Rescue Operation". Fort Lauderdale News. 4 August 1963. pp. 7D. Retrieved 6 Jan 2026 – via newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 "SWIFT Masters Swimmers win 9 medals at XIII FINA World's". Archived from the original on 2018-02-26. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  7. ↑ "Swift Wins 3 Medals at US Masters Swimming Nationals". Tribune newspaper. Nassau, Bahamas. June 2, 2010. p. 10. Retrieved 6 Jan 2026.
  8. ↑ "Percy and Andy Knowles bring home the hardware". Tribune newspaper. Nassau, Bahamas. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 5 Jan 2026.
  9. ↑ Kelly, Omri (Jul 5, 2024). "Generation swim for the Knowles family was one for the ages". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 5 Jan 2026.