MANILA, Philippines - Former Olympic swimmer Pete Lozada has just swum his final lap. He was 72.
Lozada recently passed away due to a lingering illness but left with him a long list of accomplishments highlighted by his stint in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics where he represented the country.
“We are sad to announce the passing of one of the Philippines’ top swimmers and coaches, Pete Lozada,” said Phl swim chief Mark Joseph, a former national team mainstay who was once one of Lozada’s students.
“He spent his life living his passion, and was the coach behind some of the most successful swimmers in the country,” he added.
Aside from his Melbourne Games’ stint, Lozada also snared a medal in the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games.
After his stint in the national team, Lozada and his brother Bert, also a former national standout, formed, in the 50s, a swimming school that is still one of the best schools in the country today.