Aquatics Canada Aquatique Announces the 2024 Award Winners

(Ottawa, ON, March 06, 2024) As the aquatic community eagerly anticipates another year of remarkable achievements, Aquatics Canada Aquatique is thrilled to unveil the winners of its prestigious annual awards.  These accolades recognize outstanding contributions, unwavering dedications, and exceptional performances withing the diverse realms of aquatics.

From swimming and diving to water polo and artistic swimming, these awards honor individuals, teams and organizations who have exemplified excellence, sportsmanship, and passion for aquatic sports.  The recipients stand as shining examples of the talent and commitment that continue to propel Aquatics Canada forward on the international stage.

Join us in celebrating the achievements of these aquatic trailblazers as we announce the winner who have made an indelible mark on the aquatic landscape.  Their stories inspire us all, service as a testament to the power of dedication and the pursuit of excellence in the world of aquatics.

Female Athlete of the Year – Summer McIntosh (Swimming)

For the second year in a row Summer has been chosen the Female Athlete of the Year in Aquatics.  She accomplished the following results at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka;

GOLD – Women’s 200m Butterfly – World Junior Record + Americas Record 

GOLD – Women’s 400m Individual Medley – Championship Record 

Bronze – Women’s 200m Freestyle – World Junior Record

Bronze – Women’s 4 X 100m Freestyle

She was also named the Canadian Press Athlete of the Year for 2023. 

Male Athlete of the Year – Josh Liendo (Swimming)

Josh Liendo showcased his world-class talent at the 2024 Olympic Games, earning a silver medal in the 100m butterfly and finishing fourth in the 50m freestyle. A history-maker for Canadian swimming, he became the first Black Canadian swimmer to win gold and an individual medal at a major international championship in 2021. Since making his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, Josh has continued to break barriers and elevate Canada’s presence on the global stage.

Team of the Year – Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay Team (Swimming)

The Canadian women’s 4x100m medley relay team delivered an inspiring performance at the 2024 Olympic Games, finishing fourth and narrowly missing the podium by just 0.68 seconds. The team, featuring Kylie Masse (backstroke), Sophie Angus (breaststroke), Maggie Mac Neil (butterfly), and Summer McIntosh (freestyle), posted an impressive 3:53.91. Their success was bolstered by Ingrid Wilm, Mary-Sophie Harvey, and Penny Oleksiak, who swam in the heats. Their collective effort exemplified resilience, teamwork, and Canada’s growing strength in international swimming.

Coach of the Year – Greg Arkhurst (Swimming)

Greg Arkhurst played a pivotal role in shaping one of Canada’s breakout Olympic performances in 2024. As the coach of Mary-Sophie Harvey, he guided her to a fourth-place finish in the 200m freestyle at the Paris Olympic Games. This achievement earned Mary-Sophie the title of Female Breakout Swimmer of the Year from World Aquatics. Greg’s dedication, technical expertise, and ability to bring out the best in his athletes have cemented his status as one of Canada’s top swim coaches.

Officials Award of Excellence – Hélène Painchaud (Water Polo)

Hélène Painchaud made history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, becoming only the second Canadian woman ever selected by World Aquatics to officiate a water polo tournament at the Olympics. Her expertise was also showcased at the Santiago 2023 Pan Am Games and the Doha 2024 World Aquatics Championships. In addition to her international achievements, she remains a dedicated mentor to domestic referees, helping shape the next generation of Canadian officials in water polo.

Volunteer of the Year – Mary C. Lyne (Swimming)

As President of Swimming Canada since 2021, Mary C. Lyne has led the organization through a period of significant change and challenges. Taking the helm amid the pandemic, she navigated the organization through transitions, including the long-term leave of its CEO, while staying true to Swimming Canada’s strategic vision. Her engagement with the Canadian Swimming Coaches Association helped foster greater collaboration and long-term stability for the sport. Her thoughtful leadership has positioned Swimming Canada for continued success.

Sport Executive of the Year – Suzanne Paulins (Swimming)

Suzanne Paulins has been a steadfast leader for Swimming Canada, stepping in as Acting CEO in 2023 and guiding the organization through a transformative period. In 2024, she successfully managed the unexpected relocation of the Olympic and Paralympic Trials after a fire at the Montreal Olympic Pool, ensuring a seamless transition to Toronto in just five weeks. Her ability to collaborate with corporate partners, sponsors, and national sports organizations helped deliver a successful trials event and set the stage for a historic Olympic Games.

Masters Athlete of the Year – Calgary Splash 50+ Women’s Team (Water Polo)

The Calgary Splash 50+ Women’s Team made history by winning the U.S. Club Championship at the Masters event in Walnut, California. Led by head coach and player Trina Campbell, the team featured a mix of former national and club-level athletes, including World Silver Medalist Karen Gibson, alongside dedicated recreational players. Their achievement highlights the strength and longevity of Canada’s masters athletes, proving that competitive excellence knows no age limit.

Sport Tourism Award – Destination Markham and City of Markham – Artistic Swimming World Cup Markham 2023 (Nominated by Artistic Swimming)

The Markham World Cup for Artistic Swimming in March 2023 attracted hundreds of competitors and thousands of fans. The event received a rating of “excellent” from the participants and five stars from spectators. With more than 40% of spectators having never seen an artistic swimming event before, Markham achieved more than 90% stating they will see the event again. It generated an economic impact as measured by Sport Tourism of $1 million for the city of Markham and $1.7 million for the country. 

Hall of Fame Nominee – Nancy Reed (Artistic Swimming)

Nancy Reed’s unwavering dedication to artistic swimming has left an indelible mark on the sport. A respected official at regional, provincial, national, and international levels for decades, she was recognized with the Bridge Builder Award by Canada Artistic Swimming in 2024. Her leadership extended beyond officiating, as she mentored and inspired the next generation of athletes and officials. Even in retirement, Nancy remains deeply connected to the sport—traveling independently to the Paris Olympics to support Team Canada. Her lifelong commitment has paved the way for a brighter future in artistic swimming across Canada.

President’s Honor Roll – Michelle Comeau and Mitch Geller

Michelle Comeau (all aquatic sports)

We have the honor of presenting the President’s Honour Roll to an exceptional individual, our Chef de Mission for aquatic sports. She began as Assistant Chef de Mission for the World Championships in 2017 and 2019, before becoming Chef de Mission for the World Championships in 2022 in Budapest, 2023 in Fukuoka, 2024 in Doha, and for the upcoming 2025 World Aquatics championships in Singapore. Through her unwavering dedication, inspiring leadership, and passion for aquatic sports, she has guided our team to new heights. Her commitment to excellence and team spirit has not only motivated our athletes but also strengthened our sports community. In recognition of her remarkable contributions and lasting impact, we are proud to present her with this prestigious award.

Mitch Geller (Diving)

For over 25 years, Mitch Geller has been a driving force in Canadian diving. Appointed Diving Plongeon Canada’s first National Team Head Coach in 1997, he transitioned to Chief Technical Officer in 2005, shaping one of the country’s most successful sport organizations. Under his leadership, Canada won diving medals at seven consecutive Olympic Games, securing multiple podium finishes on five occasions. His vision and expertise propelled Canadian divers to world-class success across international competitions. In 2025, Mitch embarked on a new chapter with Duraflex International, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, excellence, and global respect for Canadian diving.

About Aquatics Canada Aquatiques

Aquatics Canada Aquatique (“ACA”) is an excellence-driven organization, driving and encouraging elite performance by Canadian swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming athletes and the participation of Canadian coaches, officials and administrators internationally.

The role of ACA is to advocate for and represent the Canadian aquatic sports to its national and international sport partners, primarily World Aquatics (“AQUA”), PanAm Aquatics (“PAQ”) and the Canadian Olympic Committee (“COC”).  In this role, ACA supports Canadian aquatics teams at international FINA and PanAm Aquatics accredited competitions and championships and represents the sports’ interests at international conventions and other gatherings. ACA also works to promote the growth and awareness of, and encourage support for, the aquatic sports in Canada, working with the national sport organizations (“NSOs”) and, at their direction, with government, other sport bodies, funding partners, communities, and the public-at-large in general.

ACA upholds and demonstrates the values of its member NSOs and those of the Canadian Olympic Committee (“COC), reflecting the view that the life skills and experience obtained through athletic preparation, competition and teamwork are far more valuable than any medal.  These values empower individuals to lead, achieve and leave a legacy of giving back to their sport and the community.

For more information, please contact:

Florence Klein

President, Aquatics Canada Aquatique

president@aquaticscanada.ca

Categorised in: Uncategorized

This post was written by ACA Admin