Elaine Tanner is a pioneer in Canadian swimming. Nicknamed “Mighty Mouse” for her petite stature, Tanner was just 15 when she won four gold and three silver medals at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica. At 17, she became the first Canadian woman to earn a silver medal in the 100-metre backstroke at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. She also finished second in the 200-m back and was part of the bronze medal 4×100 freestyle relay team. Despite being the first Canadian triple medallist, and the first Canadian to win a swimming medal since 1928, Tanner’s achievements were not celebrated because none of them were the coveted gold.
Canada’s First Triple Medallist
