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When the result was announced at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, a surprised Ian Black made his way to the stage to receive his award accompanied by the strains of 'scotland The Brave' being played by two trumpeters. With both hands firmly on the BBC Sports Personality Trophy, Ian Black was both brief and modest in his remarks: "I can assure you that this is most unexpected. There is nothing I can say that I have not already said except thank you very much, especially to the viewers who voted for me."
1959 saw Ian Black break Vladimir Strushanov's world record in the 400 metres individual medley. Taking four seconds from the record in Cardiff in 1959, Black recorded a time of 5:08.8. It was a record he would hold for a year until George Harrison broke it twice in the same day in Los Angeles in 1960.
In 1960 Ian Black became an Olympian. He represented Great Britain at the summer Olympics in Rome and was unlucky not to return home with a medal.
Ian Black's swimming career began at Robert Gordon's College Junior School and his subsequent academic career took him full circle when he was appointed as the Head Teacher of the School.
His medals, titles, world and European records made Ian Black one of the finest swimmers to have come from Scotland. In November 2002 Ian Black's achievements were recognised as he was among the first 50 men and women to be inducted in the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.
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