The Australian Olympic Committee are among those to remember Davies, who first competed at the London 1948 Olympics, finishing fourth in the men's 200 metre backstroke.

He then earned gold in the 200m breaststroke at Helsinki 1952, the only Australian swimmer to top the podium at that Games. 

Having been exhausted in the run-up to competition, Davies's coach subsequently allowed him to rest in the three days before the qualifying heats. 

Davies slept for 20 hours each day and did not swim at all. 

He then finished first in the heat, semi-final and final, setting an Olympic record at the time of of 2min 34.4sec to win gold.

Davies then moved to the United States to study political science and law at the University of Minnesota and eventually took American citizenship.

He completed his degree in 1959 and began practising law and after being nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, became a US District Judge.

His sporting achievements continued to be recognised, having been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1992.

Davies then received an Australian Sports Medal in 2000. 

He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.