Former Canadian Olympic Swimmer Nancy Garapick Dies at 64

Former Canadian swimming star and two-time Olympic medallist Nancy Garapick has passed away at the age of 64. Swimming Canada confirmed she died peacefully at her home in Langley, British Columbia, on Monday.

A native of Halifax, Garapick first made waves as a 13-year-old when she set a world record in the 200-metre backstroke on April 27, 1975, at the Eastern Canadian Swimming Championships in Brantford, Ontario. At the time, she was representing the Halifax Trojan Aquatic Club.

Later that year, she earned the distinction of being Canada’s youngest-ever female athlete of the year at just 14 years old.

At the 1976 Olympic Games held in Montreal, Garapick won bronze medals in both the 100-metre and 200-metre backstroke events, cementing her place among Canada’s swimming greats.

Her achievements were honored with inductions into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2008, the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.