Elaine Tanner-Watt, Canadian Olympic Medalist Turned Author, Showing Generosity
During her career, Canadian Elaine Tanner-Watt got the most out of the small frame that earned her the nickname, “Mighty Mouse.” These days, Tanner-Watt is being celebrated for her generosity during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she has donated numerous copies of the children’s book she wrote in 2015 to children’s hospitals, health officials, first responders and schools.
When Tanner-Watt wrote “Monkey Guy and the Cosmic Fairy,” the goal was to emphasize the characteristics of friendship, kindness and unconditional love. Those traits have been exhibited in her donations, which have totaled $25,000 to date. Here is a YouTube video in which Tanner-Watt discusses her book.
At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, Tanner-Watt, who will turn 70 on Feb. 22, won silver medals in the 100 and 200 backstrokes, and was a member of Canada’s bronze-medal-winning 400 freestyle relay. A 1980 inductee into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Tanner-Watt set world records during her career in the 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke and was a gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games and Pan American Games.