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Cheryl Gibson

Cheryl Gibson

Swimming Athlete — Inducted 1986

Cheryl Gibson is one of Canada’s most accomplished swimmers, recognized internationally for her excellence in the individual medley and her historic achievements in the 1970s.

Cheryl began competing in 1974 and quickly rose to national prominence. Over her career, she set ten swimming records and dominated Canadian competition, winning 34 gold, 15 silver, and 13 bronze medals at the national level.

Internationally, she represented Canada at:

  • 1975 Pan American Games
  • 1976 Montreal Olympic Games
  • 1978 Commonwealth Games
  • 1979 Pan American Games
  • 1982 Commonwealth Games
  • United States National Championships

At the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Cheryl won a silver medal in the 400-metre Individual Medley. In 1975, she became the first female swimmer in the Western world to break the five-minute barrier in the 400m Individual Medley, recording a time of 4:58.66 at the Canadian Championships — a groundbreaking performance at the time.

Across major international competitions, she earned a total of:

  • 4 Gold Medals
  • 7 Silver Medals
  • 5 Bronze Medals

In 1977, Cheryl Gibson was named Canadian Female Athlete of the Year, recognizing her outstanding performances on the world stage.

After Induction

Following her retirement from competitive swimming in the 1980s, Cheryl remained deeply involved in sport leadership and governance.

She served on the Board of Directors of Swimming Canada from 1983 to 1994 and returned to the board beginning in 2012. In September 2015, she was elected President of Swimming Canada, later serving as Chair. She has also served on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Administration and Finance Committee and, as of 2024, serves as a member of World Aquatics, the international governing body for aquatic sports.

Beyond sport, Cheryl built an accomplished professional career. She earned her Chartered Accountant designation in 1986 and completed a law degree at the University of Toronto in 1989. She worked as a tax attorney in Edmonton and is a Fellow of Chartered Professional Accountants Alberta.

Honours & Recognition

Cheryl Gibson has been inducted into multiple halls of fame, including:

  • Alberta Sports Hall of Fame (1986)
  • Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame (1991)
  • Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame (1991)
  • Arizona State University Sports Hall of Fame (1996)
  • Swim BC Hall of Fame (2005)
  • Alberta Swimming Hall of Fame – With Distinction (2015)

Additional honours include:

  • YMCA Women of Distinction Award (1998)
  • Swimming Canada Circle of Excellence (2009)