When the Canadian government wanted Elaine Tanner's Medal of Service back to switch for the replacement honour, the Order of Canada, the swimming superstar, refused. She says she can't let it let go because it tells the story of her life.
She was once hailed as Canada's best athlete and Elaine Tanner has the accolades to prove it as a teenage swimming prodigy known as "Mighty Mouse" at Olympic, Commonwealth and Pan American games.
Tanner went to the 1968 Mexico City Olympics overwhelmingly favoured to win gold. Instead, with the weight of a nation on her 17-year-old shoulders, she came home with two silvers, in the 100 m and 200 m backstroke, and a bronze in the 4x100 m freestyle relay. She says she hopes the way she emerged from the "black hole" that her life became after the Olympics can inspire other people facing hard times.
The medal was introduced in 1967 and was awarded to 294 people before concerns about its modest appearance prompted a restructuring by the government in 1972, including the request to voluntarily return the award."My heart told me that this is the medal that was given to me by the government, actually by governor general Roland Michener, and he pinned it on my dress, and I went, 'This means the world to me,' and I don't want to hand it in," said Tanner.
"We all go through challenges in life," she said. "We will meet defeat but keep going. The key of life is to keep going." Of the original 294 medals, 104 were returned in the early years, McCreery said. About 30 people kept their medals but most have died, he added.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Elaine Tanner, 1960s swimming superstar, cherishes rare medal that Canada wanted backNORTH SAANICH, B.C. — She was once hailed as Canada’s best athlete and Elaine Tanner has the accolades to prove it as a teenage swimming prodigy known as…
Read more »
B.C.'s Elaine Tanner, 1960s swimming superstar, cherishes rare medal that Canada wanted backHer most cherished medal came outside the pool. It’s a sterling silver Medal of Service, the forerunner to the current Officer of the Order of Canada medal.
Read more »
Canada’s ‘Mighty Mouse’ treasures rare medal | Globalnews.caShe was once hailed as Canada's best athlete and Elaine Tanner has the accolades to prove it.
Read more »
Curling Canada says pregnancy exemption to be expanded in 2024Curling Canada changes pregnancy exemption rules for 2024 season
Read more »
Canada Goose cuts outlook after COVID disruption hits China salesCanada Goose Holdings cut its outlook again after COVID\u002Drelated disruptions in China hampered sales. Read on
Read more »
Canada is 'more sensitive' to rate hikes than the U.S.: Economist - BNN BloombergCanada’s economic growth is weighed down by its sensitivity to interest rates when compared to the U.S., allowing the Bank of Canada to pause rate hikes while its counterpart continues to drive rates higher, according to one economist.
Read more »