Mark Tewksbury

Olympic gold medallist, Mark Tewksbury is notable for his inspiring career in the pool as well as an impactful and engaging speaking career ever since. Mark was first acclaimed in his 16-year career as a national team swimmer, attaining 21 national titles, 7 world records, two Olympic games and 3 Olympic medals, counting a gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke. Throughout his athletic career, Mark has sparked conversations on the taboo of LGBT+ members in sports and spoken out as a pioneer for human rights. Dedicated to making spaces inclusive and safe for all, Mark is now a coveted inspirational speaker.

Beginning his career in sports leadership in 1996, Mark worked as an athlete representative with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), from which he later stepped down in 1999 with concerns about the ethical calamity of the IOC. Mark then co-founded Olympic Advocates Together Honorably (OATH), intending to firmly establish constructive solutions in the Olympic Committee. Returning to the Olympic Movement in 2012, Mark returned as Chef de Mission for Team Canada competing at the London Games. 5 years later he was elected as Director of the Canadian Olympic Committee, where he now serves as Vice-president of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

Breaking boundaries as a multi-skilled activist, Mark has authored three books, motivating all communities; Inside Out: Straight Talk from a Gay Jock, and Visions of Excellence: The Art of Achieving Your Dreams. With his business partner Debbie Muir, Mark co-authored The Great Traits of Champions, laying a foundation for their leadership training programme, The Corporate Champions Programme, and company Great Traits.

Since coming out as one of the first openly gay Olympic champions in the world, Mark relates to the global 2SLGBTQ+ movement. In 2008, the government of France invited Mark to speak on LGBT issues at the United Nations, successfully decriminalising homosexuality. With his exceptional leadership skills, Mark is a popular choice as an LGBT+ speaker, raising awareness of homophobia and inspiring many.

In November 2023 we sat down virtually with Mark Tewksbury and discussed how the Olympic games shaped him as a person. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Mark Tewksbury.