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David Wilkie MBE (born 8 March 1954 ) is a Scottish former Swimmer , who was Olympic and Commonwealth Games champion in the 1970s . BIOGRAPHY David Wilkie was born in Sri Lanka . He was a pupil of Daniel Stewart's College in Edinburgh , and while a student there he joined the Warrender Baths Club, one of Scotland's most prestigious swimming clubs. It was there that he began to develop his specialist stroke, the Breaststroke . Wilkie first came to the public's attention when he won bronze in front of his home crowd in the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in the 200 metre breaststroke. He wore a Swim Cap for that event during the commonwealth games, making him to first elite swimmer to wear one in a major competition. Wilkie's world breakthrough came as a surprise to many when he won silver in the 200m breaststroke at the Munich Olympics in 1972 . He had acquired the reputation of avoiding hard work and not being sufficiently committed. However it was clear from this performance that he had oustanding natural ability. In the 1974 Commonwealth Games , in Christchurch , New Zealand , he won silver in the 100 metre breaststroke, a gold in the 200 metre breaststroke and a further gold in the 200m individual medley. However, it was only after several years of intensive training at the University Of Florida , that Wilkie's finest hour came. He won gold in the 200 metre breaststroke at the Montreal Olympics in 1976 . Not only did he win in a world-record time, he added a 100 metre silver medal to his collection. In 1977 he was appointed MBE . Since his retirement, Wilkie has remained active in the world of swimming, involved in swimming aids and technology. He was said to be the first swimmer to wear a Head-cap and Goggles together in competition to improve the Streamline effect within the water. His swimming coach was Dave Haller . Major competition achievements
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