Mark Tewksbury

Mark Tewksbury is a Canadian Olympic champion, human rights advocate, and acclaimed motivational speaker known for his excellence in sport and courageous leadership in the global LGBTQ+ community.

Born in Calgary in 1968, Tewksbury rose to fame as a world-class swimmer specializing in backstroke. He won a silver medal in the medley relay at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and achieved his career-defining victory at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, capturing gold in the 100m backstroke with a record-setting performance. Over the course of his swimming career, he earned 21 national titles, set seven world records, and took home multiple gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.

After retiring from competitive swimming, Tewksbury made headlines in 1998 when he became one of the first Olympic champions to come out publicly as gay. His honesty and advocacy helped pave the way for greater inclusion in sports and beyond. He has since become an influential voice for ethics in athletics, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health awareness, speaking at major global platforms including the United Nations.

Tewksbury has served as Chef de Mission for the Canadian Olympic team, held leadership roles with the International Olympic Committee and Special Olympics Canada, and co-founded The Great Traits Inc., a company focused on developing leadership and life skills.

His accomplishments have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Companion of the Order of Canada, the Meritorious Service Medal, and induction into both the Canadian and International Sports Halls of Fame.

Today, Tewksbury is a highly sought-after speaker whose authenticity, resilience, and compelling storytelling continue to inspire audiences across the world. His work focuses on themes of leadership, courage, diversity, and belonging.