The sporting figures we've lost in 2023
Clive Rowlands - May 14, 1938 - July 29, 2023
Former Wales rugby captain and coach Clive Rowlands, who guided his country to a first Grand Slam in 19 years in 1971, has died. He was 85.
Rowlands, who played 14 times for Wales as scrum-half, also managed the British and Irish Lions and served as president of the WRU. He captained Wales on each of his international appearances and led the team as it shared the 1964 Five Nations title with Scotland.
He retired from playing at the age of 29.
As coach, he led Wales to the Grand Slam in 1971 as well as its most successful-ever finish at a World Cup — placing third at the inaugural tournament in 1987 — before masterminding victory for the Lions on their tour of Australia two years later. He was appointed WRU president in 1989.
Greig Oliver - September 12, 1964 - July 3, 2023
Former Scotland international rugby player Greig Oliver died in a hang gliding accident at the age of 58.
The former scrumhalf was in South Africa at the time of the tragedy, where he had been supporting his son at the under 20 Rugby World Championship.
As a player, Greig competed in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 for Scotland before establishing a reputation as a talented coach of up-and-coming talent.
Magnus White - 2006 - July 20, 2023
Seventeen-year-old American cyclist Magnus White, who was scheduled to race at the upcoming world championships in Scotland, was killed when he was struck by a vehicle on a training ride near his home in Boulder, Colorado.
USA Cycling announced his death in a statement.
White was a rising multidisciplinary star, winning a junior national championship in cyclocross in 2021 and earning a place on the US national team.
Brian Taber - April 29, 1940 - July 21, 2023
Brian Taber represented Australia in 16 Test matches between 1966 and 1970.
He is regarded as one of the finest keepers in Australian cricket history and took seven catches and a stumping on his Test debut against South Africa.
Sir James Hardy - November, 20 1932 - June, 15 2023
Renowned Australian yachtsman Sir James Hardy has died aged 90.
Hardy was a two-time Olympian and skippered Australia's America's Cup challengers in 1970, 1974 and 1980
He also served as the key advisor to the team in 1983 when John Bertrand ended the US's 132-year dominance of the event.
AOC president Ian Chesterman paid tribute to Hardy.
"James Hardy's name is inextricably bound with the sport he loved over so many decades," he said in a statement.
"He was picked for the Tokyo 1964 Games then Mexico 1968 Games in the 5.5 metre class – finishing 7th in Mexico - and he famously led the charge for Australia in three America's Cup campaigns as skipper.
"He ignited Australia's obsession with claiming that trophy, eventually achieved in 1983, with Sir James advising winning skipper John Bertrand.
"James Hardy made an impact in many areas during his life, and he will be very sadly missed by the sailing community and the broader Australian sports community."
Jim Hines - September 10, 1946 - June 3, 2023
Olympic gold medallist, Jim Hines, the first man to run a sub 10-second in the 100m sprint, has died aged 76.
World Athletics paid tribute to the track legend, who broke the world record in 1968 when he recorded a hand-timed 9.9 seconds at the US Championships.
He then went on to win gold in the 100m at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, clocking 9.95 seconds to set a world record, which lasted 15 years until Calvin Smith ran 9.93.
Billy Guyton - March 17, 1990 - May 15, 2023
New Zealand rugby player Billy Guyton, who played for the Blues, Crusaders and Hurricanes, died suddenly.
The death of the 33-year-old halfback, who also represented the Māori All Blacks, Tasman and North Otago, was confirmed by the Tasman Rugby Union.
Concussion symptoms forced Guyton to announce his retirement from playing in 2018.
Owen Davidson - 4 October, 1943 - 12 May, 2023
Australian tennis player Owen Davidson, who won 13 grand slam doubles titles, has died. He was 79.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame announced that Davidson died on Saturday. Longtime friend Isabel Suliga said he died in Conroe, Texas.
He won 11 major titles in mixed doubles and two in men's doubles. Davidson teamed with Billie Jean King to win eight of his grand slam trophies in a career that spanned from the early 1960s to mid-1970s.
In 1967, Davidson became only the third player in tennis history to earn all four major mixed doubles titles in the same year, including three with King.
"Our hearts are broken, but we find peace in the lifetime of wonderful memories we shared with our friend Davo," King said in a tweet.
Lance Blanks - 9 September, 1966 - 3 May, 2023
Lance Blanks, who played in the NBA for three seasons and later worked as a scout and front office executive, has died, his family announced on Friday (AEST). He was 56.
Blanks died Wednesday (local time) in Dallas, his family said in a statement distributed by the NBA.
He was a former general manager of the Phoenix Suns, an assistant general manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers and a scout for the San Antonio Spurs and most recently the Los Angeles Clippers.
Blanks also played for the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves.
"Lance was a light for all those who knew him," said NBA executive Joe Dumars, one of his Detroit teammates. "It's been a privilege to have called him one of my closest friends. I'm eternally grateful for all the support he has shown me throughout the years. His legacy will be carried on, not only by his family, but by all those whose lives he touched for the better."
Blanks played college basketball at Virginia and Texas, which inducted him into the Longhorns Hall of Honour in 2007. The Pistons drafted him in the first round in 1990.
Kristen 'Miami' Mitchell - 3 May, 2023
Wrestlers at home and abroad have paid tribute to Australian trailblazer Kristen "Miami" Mitchell, who died at the age of 36.
The news was broken by Wrestle Radio Australia, who released a statement that sent shock through Australia's wrestling community.
"Australian Wrestling is saddened by the loss of Kristen Mitchell aka Miami.
"The impression she has left on the industry both from her work in the ring and behind the scenes on the future of the business is immeasurable and she will be missed deeply by all of those who ever had
"She will be deeply missed by all of those who ever had the privilege of knowing and working with her.
"Her kind heart and bubbly positive attitude are how we will all remember her and the world is a less brighter place today because of this loss.
"Our condolences go out to all of her family and friends during this time.
"RIP Kirsten and thank you for being you."
