The Scotsman won on the ten metre highboard at the British Empire Games in Auckland in 1950 and also secured gold at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver in 1954 and in Cardiff four years later, in the 3m springboard and 10m highboard respectively.

He claimed a total of five Commonwealth medals in his career, with a 3m springboard silver in Auckland and a 10m highboard bronze in Vancouver.

Heatly, regarded as one of the most successful Scottish Commonwealth athletes of all time, also finished fifth in the platform event at the 1948 Olympic Games in London.

Following the conclusion of his diving career, he turned to sports management and chaired the CGF from 1982 to 1990, during which time the Games returned to Edinburgh as the Scottish city hosted the event in 1986.

He had been on the Organising Committee for the previous time the Games had been in Edinburgh in 1970.

Heatly was then knighted in 1990.

Grandson James competed for Britain in diving at the inaugural European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan in June, returning with a haul of three medals, including one gold.

“It is with immense sadness that the Commonwealth family hears of the passing of our life vice-president, Commonwealth gold medallist and former CGF Chairman, Sir Peter Heatly,” CGF President Louise Martin said in a statement.

“From gold medals at the 1950, 1954 and 1958 Commonwealth Games to leading the Federation as Chairman from 1982-1990, the legacy of his transformative impact on the Commonwealth sporting movement will always be celebrated and cherished.

“On a personal level, he was my general team manager at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth and I have been privileged to know him as a friend ever since.

“On behalf of the Commonwealth Games Federation, I extend our sincerest condolences to his family and pay proud tribute to an inspiring life dedicated to Commonwealth sport.”

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