Haroldo de Melo Lara an icon in Brazilian swimming circles passed away on Sunday at the age of 80 due to complications of a stroke.
Throughout his career Lara broke several Brazilian and South American records in a combination of the 100, 200 and 400 freestyle. He was the 100 freestyle Brazilian and South American championship from 1952-56.
Lara also competed in both the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki and the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. At the 52 games he finished 5th in the 100 freestyle and improved that placing in Melbourne finishing fourth in the same event.
He was a multi-talented individual deciding in 1957 to pursue a second love for music. Lara was invited to the Conservatory of Rome as an opera singer and had a distinguished career in the art in both Europe and America.
The organizers of the 2007 Pan American Games showed their respect to Lara by have him as the lead torch barrier for the games which were held in Rio.
