Companion of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 2020-10-21
Invested on: 2022-09-17
Mark Roger Tewksbury, C.C., M.S.M.
Calgary, Alberta
An athlete of great talent and drive, Mark Tewksbury is also a passionate agent for change. His gold-medal performance in the 100m backstroke at the 1992 Olympic Games resonated with audiences worldwide. In his post-competitive life, he is a tenacious advocate for clean sport and a staunch defender of the rights of athletes, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and people with intellectual disabilities. Canada’s first out Olympian, he has demonstrated great personal courage and generosity in sharing his story of self-acceptance, personal leadership and transformation through sport, inspiring many around the world.