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Former Philippine swimming stars Cayco, Villarete die

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Jacinto Cayco, a 1948 Olympian who became a respected swimming tournament official, died on February 16, a relative told Rappler. He was 96.

Another former Philippine swimming star, Mary Christine Villarete, also died on February 17, her sister Mary Ann confirmed. The two-time Asian Gamer was 64.

Cayco represented the Philippines in the 1948 London Olympics. He also twice competed in the Asian Games and emerged as a double-gold medalist in the 1951 edition, ruling the 200m breaststroke and the 3x100m medley relay.  

“Mang Jack was our perpetual starter from eons back. Always so warm and friendly and good at what he did,” Akiko Thomson-Guevarra, a former national swimming team stalwart and commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission, said in a Facebook post. 

Cayco used to swim almost daily at the Rizal Memorial pool well into his late 80s until he had an injury from which he recovered quickly. He also used to walk at least a kilometer a day before the COVID-19 pandemic, said Susan Concepcion-Cayco, the wife of his nephew.

“Even when [the COVID pandemic] started, he would still walk daily but not as long as before,” said Concepcion-Cayco. “He wasn’t sick of anything. He did not respond at 5:30 am of February 17 when it was time to have his breakfast.”

Philippine Swimming Inc. said: “Sir Jack was always known for being kind-hearted and humble.”

Cayco was inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. 

Villarete, meanwhile, once held the Philippine record in the 100m and 200m backstroke. Her 100m backstroke mark stood longest until Christine Jacob broke it in the early 1980s.

Her wake is at the Manila Memorial Park, Sucat from February 20-23. Visitors are welcome from 8 am-8 pm. – Rappler.com

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