Julian's Profile

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Julian Bolling is the only Sri Lankan swimmer known to have participated in three Olympic games, first at Los Angeles, then at Seoul and finally at Barcelona in 1992. He also won 15 Gold Medals. This happened over a decade ago for Sri Lanka, at four separate SAF Games - in 1984, 1987, 1989 and 1991.

Julian first swam for Royal College, Colombo from 1977 to 1982 and was coached by E. G. A. Wilson, a famous national record holder in the 100 meters Back Stroke. From 1982, his mother, Tara Bolling, (Sri Lanka's 'Wonder Star' and women's champion of the fifties and early sixties), took over the solemn task of disciplining and training her son to become a 'golden swimmer'. Julian was taught to put God first; others second and himself last, in everything.

Julian also recalls 1979 as a memorable year, when he and his two elder brothers David and Jeremy, represented Sri Lanka for the first time in the Indo-Sri Lanka- Bangladesh Swimming Triangular Meet. In fact, David Bolling won the Gold Medal in the 1500 meters Free-Style and Julian came in second, to win the Silver Medal. Thereafter, Julian took over these events and represented the country in the 1986 Asian Games, winning many Gold Medals and establishing Games Records in the 400 and 1500 meters Free style and Individual Medley.

Since obtaining a Marketing Degree from the University of Clarion, Pennsylvania (USA), Julian returned to Sri Lanka in 1992 and worked at Nestles' Limited, Colombo - but soon preferred to abandon an office desk and 'take to the waters', to join his mother Tara and father Ralph, who had launched out the Rainbow Aquatic Club. Later, the Rainbow Swimming Academy was set-up with his brother David, with the sole aim of teaching children and adults to swim and save 'souls' from drowning! They have also coached with great success, many who desired to compete in local and foreign swimming meets.