Winners: Carolyn Waldo, Synchronized Swimming

1987 - Feature Story

Synchronized swimmer Carolyn Waldo earned a Silver medal in the solo event at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. It would be nearly four years before the brilliant competitor from Beaconsfield, Quebec would again be defeated in solo competition.  She won Gold medals in both the solo and duet events at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and, later that year, at the World Swimming Championships in Madrid she became the first in her sport to earn a perfect score of 10. Waldo continued to dominate in 1987, combining athleticism and artistry that redefined excellence.  Establishing herself as a favourite for Gold at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, she won the solo event, and teamed with fellow Calgary Aquabelle Michelle Cameron to take the duet title at the 1987 Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo and the FINA World Cup in Cairo. 

1988 - Feature Story

An early season loss to American rival Tracie Ruiz-Conforto did not faze world champion Waldo at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. She served as Canada’s flagbearer in the Opening Ceremony, then became the first Canadian woman to win two Olympic Gold medals at a single Games by winning the solo event, then the duet with Michelle Cameron. 

Career Highlights

• 1988 Lou Marsh Memorial Award
• 1988 Gold medals in duet and solo at the Olympic Games in Seoul
• 1987, 1988 Bobbie Rosenfeld Award (Canada’s female athlete of the year)
• 1986 Gold medals in duet and solo at the World Aquatics Championships in Madrid, Spain
• 1984 Silver medal in solo at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles