John Merricks

{{Short description|English sailor (1971–1997)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}

{{Infobox sailor

| name = John Merricks

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| full_name = John Edward Merricks

| birth_date = {{birth date text|16 February 1971}}

| birth_place = Leicester, England

| death_date = {{death-date and age|8 October 1997|16 February 1971}}

| death_place = Castiglione della Pescaia, Italy

| height = 173 cm

| weight = 62 kg

| classes = 420, 470, Fireball, Laser II

| club =

| collegeteam =

| coach =

| show-medals = yes

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalSport | Men's sailing }}

{{MedalCountry | {{GBR2}} }}

{{MedalCompetition | Olympic Games }}

{{MedalSilver | 1996 Atlanta | 470 }}

}}

John Edward Merricks (16 February 1971 – 8 October 1997) was an English sailor. He represented Great Britain at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where he received the silver medal in the 470 class along with his sailing partner, Ian Walker.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119144331/http://databaseolympics.com/games/gamessport.htm?g=24&sp=YAT |archive-date=19 January 2013 |url-status=dead |url=http://databaseolympics.com/games/gamessport.htm?g=24&sp=YAT |title=1996 Summer Olympics – Atlanta, United States – Sailing |website=databaseOlympics.com |access-date=17 April 2009}}{{cite Sports-Reference |title=John Merricks |url=http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/me/john-merricks-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203152903/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/me/john-merricks-1.html |archive-date=3 December 2016}} At the 1996 470 European Championships he and Walker won the silver medal.

Merricks died in a car accident in Italy on 8 October 1997. He and Walker were passengers in a minivan when the driver lost control.Wallechinsky, David (2004). The Complete Book of the Summer Olympics, Toronto: Sport Classic Books. {{ISBN|1-894963-34-2}} A lake at Watermead Park is named after him.