Order of Sport Award Symbol

Class of 2023

Tim McIsaac

Category

Athlete

Sport

Para-Swimming
Tim McIsaac
A Paralympic pioneer who revolutionized Para-swimming in Canada and around the world. Tim, along with his coaches Wilf and Audrey Strom, developed a new system for visually impaired swimmers where coaches would tap him with a foam-tipped rod as a signal to tumble turn, an innovative method that is now compulsory in competition. McIsaac won an outstanding 28 Gold Medals and is a true champion for inclusion and equality.

Canadian Paralympic pioneer, Tim McIsaac was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1959. Blind since birth, Tim began swimming recreationally as a teenager while attending the Ross MacDonald School for the Blind. Tim, along with coaches Wilf and Audrey Strom, developed a new system for visually impaired swimmers where coaches would tap him with a foam-tipped rod as a signal to tumble turn, an innovative method that is now compulsory in competition. Between 1976 and 1988 he represented Canada at four Paralympic Games, winning an outstanding total of 28 medals. Blazing a new trail graduating from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Education degree, Tim has enjoyed a successful career as a Manitoba public servant. He continues to inspire and serve his community by lending his time and talents to a variety of volunteer roles on boards, advisory councils and community service organizations.

 

Pionnier du sport paralympique canadien, Tim McIsaac est né en 1959 à Winnipeg, au Manitoba. Aveugle de naissance, il a commencé à nager à des fins récréatives à l’âge de l’adolescence, alors qu’il fréquentait l’École pour aveugles Ross MacDonald, à Brantford, en Ontario. En collaboration avec ses entraîneurs, Wilf et Audrey Strom, il a conçu un nouveau procédé pour les nageurs malvoyants où ses entraîneurs lui donnaient le signal d’exécuter un virage renversé à l’aide d’une longue tige dotée d’un embout de mousse; cette méthode novatrice est désormais obligatoire en compétition. Entre 1976 et 1988, il a représenté le Canada à quatre Jeux paralympiques, remportant un nombre impressionnant de 28 médailles. Traçant une nouvelle voie, Tim McIsaac a obtenu un diplôme de baccalauréat en éducation à l’Université de Winnipeg et poursuit une carrière enrichissante à titre de fonctionnaire avec le gouvernement du Manitoba. Il continue d’être une source d’inspiration et de servir sa communauté, occupant une variété de postes au sein de conseils d’administration, comités consultatifs et organismes de services communautaires.

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is honoured to be presenting Tim McIsaac with the prestigious Order of Sport award on Thursday, October 19, 2023 as a member of the incredible Class of 2023.