David Fitzsimons, arguably South Australia's greatest athletics performer, died, aged 58.

Fitzsimons, who dominated Australian distance running in the late 1970s, died from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, aged 58.

Recognised as one of the best athletes South Australia has ever produced, Fitzsimons represented Australia at the 1976 and 1980 Olympics and the 1974 and 1978 Commonwealth Games.

In the 1970s, he won eight Australian Championships over 5000m and 10,000m including three 5000m/10,000m doubles.

His greatest running achievement was in the 5000m race at the 1977 World Cup in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Fitzsimons won the bronze medal in 13 minutes and 17.42 seconds, just 0.8 seconds behind Ron Clarke's Australian record and a time which is still the SA record and remains the fourth fastest ever recorded by an Australian.

The SA 3000m and 10,000m records set by Fitzsimons more than 20 years ago also still stand.

Athletics SA president Tony Keynes said Fitzsimons was a true champion who would be sorely missed.

"David was an absolute gentleman and a fantastically committed athlete," he said.

"At his best, he was one of the top three 5000m runners in the world and everything he did he just gave his all to.

"He was one of the greatest characters and most likeable men I've ever met.

"Fitzy was an absolute champion and I'm shattered that he's no longer with us."

Fitzsimons' brother Bernie recalled the prodigious talent David had shown from an early age.

"He went to Christian Brothers College and in those days CBC always used to finished its sports day out at Kensington Oval with a handicap mile," he said.

"In his early primary school years he ran down and beat our oldest brother Robert, who was in his final year at school. That was the start of his athletics career."