Winners: Sylvie Bernier, Diving
Sylvie Bernier in the pike position.
Date:1980’s
Collection:Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
1984 - Feature Story
At the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Sylvie Bernier’s Gold medal in the 3m springboard was historic on a number of fronts. It was Canada’s first Olympic Gold medal in diving, and it made the hard-working 20-year-old, the first Quebec woman ever to win Olympic Gold. It highlighted a successful season that included victories at the Canadian Championships and at Dive Canada. Bernier’s triumph also ended a long-time Olympic streak of success for American divers, who had won 11 Gold medals in 14 Olympic Games prior to 1984, but would finish second and third behind Bernier. Those 1984 Games also marked the first Olympic appearance of Chinese athletes. Bernier who had trained with the Chinese, saw their impending dominance on the sport.
Career Highlights
- 1985 Named to the Order of Canada
- 1984 Gold medal in 3m springboard at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles
- 1984 Bobbie Rosenfeld Award (Canada’s female athlete of the year)
- 1983 Bronze medal in 3m at the Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela
- 1982 Silver medal in 3m at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia
Competition swimsuit worn by Sylvie Bernier.
Date: 1980’s
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Competition swimsuit worn by Sylvie Bernier.
Date: 1980’s
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Sylvie Bernier diving into the water.
Date: 1980’s
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
