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16 Sports Oakville Beaver OAKVILLE BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 e-mail sports@oakvillebeaver.com · SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2009 Elaine Tanner's life has come full circle W hen she reflects on her life as a swimmer, Elaine Tanner finally feels complete. The Olympian and former world recordholder was inducted into Swimming Canada's Circle of Excellence recently in Toronto, an honour recognizing her accomplishments and contributions to a sport that brought her both the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows. "They call it the Circle of Excellence and it kind of completes a circle for me," Tanner says. "For a while, I withdrew from the whole sports system. My coming back home and them honouring me in that way and reconnecting with the kids and old coaches, kind of brought me back. There was a completeness to it." Known as `Mighty Mouse' as a teen, a nickname derived from her competitive spirit and small stature, Tanner became the first Canadian athlete to win three medals at a single Olympic Games when she earned two silvers and a bronze at the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico. Somehow, however, that seemingly wasn't good enough for anybody -- even Tanner herself. The Vancouver native entered the 1968 Games as a heavy favourite to win gold in the 100-metre backstroke and had set Olympic records in both her qualifying races before the final. When she exited the pool after finishing second to American Kaye Hall, she was inundated with queries of why she didn't win. Devastated, Tanner -- then 17 years old -- competed in one more meet and then retired from swimming the following year. That started a downward spiral that included suffering from depression and anorexia, two failed marriages, working in a series of dead-end jobs, distancing herself from her family and children, even living in her car. "That was pretty devastating. What more can you say?" Tanner says now of the 1968 Games. "These days, kids have much better mental preparation. We had no idea back then about mental preparation, had no idea about pressure, about trauma, which I actually ended up suffering from. My family did- KAREN NEWMAN / OAKVILLE BEAVER HONOUR OF EXCELLENCE: Elaine Tanner, pictured holding her own Olympic card from the 1960s, was recently inducted into the Swimming Canada Circle of Excellence. The local resident won two silver medals and a bronze at the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico, becoming the first Canadian athlete to win three medals at a single Olympic Games. Help the MILLIES bring home the cup St. Mildred's Lightbourn School has a chance to do this spring, what the Toronto Maple Leafs haven't been able to do for 42 years -- bring home the Stanley Cup. The St. Mildred's-Lightbourn MILLIES girls hockey team is one of 10 amateur Canadian hockey teams that has been chosen as a finalist in the 2009 Team Up And Bring Home The Cup contest. The team was chosen from 600 submissions by a judging panel. From now through to April 18, Canadians can vote for the team that they feel deserves to win the ultimate prize -- a chance to hang out with the NHL Stanley Cup and hockey legend Mark Messier. To vote, visit the contest website at www.TSN.ca/TeamUp. Voters must be 13 years of age or older and will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to a 2009 NHL Stanley Cup final game, complete with airfare, accommodations, game tickets and spending money. The Team Up and Bring Home The Cup contest is sponsored by Pepsi, Lay's and Gatorade with the support of TSN and the National Hockey League (NHL). n't know what to do. I didn't know what to do." Tanner is much better now. Her life turned around when she met her husband, John Watt, in 1987 (the couple rents residences in both Oakville and Vancouver, but spends most of the time here). She went on to study natural health and other sciences, earned a diploma as a holistic health counsellor certified by the American Society of Alternative Therapists in Massachusetts and has written several manuscripts about her life experiences. "I did learn great lessons," Tanner says. "I learned there's other things to life and that was something that was good for me to learn. I've learned since then that wonderful expression: to a caterpillar, the end of life is what God calls a butterfly. It's (about) your attitude and your perspective." The recent recognition from Swimming Canada wasn't the first major honour Tanner has received. She won the Lou Marsh Award Trophy in 1966 as Canada's best overall athlete, was made an Officer to the Order of Canada in 1970, and was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1971. In addition, the Elaine Tanner Award is presented annually to Canada's junior female athlete of the year at the Canadian Sport Awards. Still, being inducted into the Circle of Excellence has special meaning to Tanner. It could also serve as a re-entry into the Swimming Canada pool -- as a coach. Tanner, 58, enjoyed talking to the young swimmers after her induction ceremony. "We really had a connection. I think it's a bond that you always have. It doesn't matter how old the kids are, you know what they go through and they know what you've done. It's a mutual respect," says Tanner, who is pleased with the current direction of Swimming Canada by its CEO and national coach Pierre Lafontaine. "My doors are open right now. I'm not really doing a lot right now. I haven't got many commitments. I'm kind of seeing where the universe is leading me. I want to do some work that's fulfilling and gives back. "I never in my heart left sport. It's a part of me."