TORONTO, Ontario, Canada, November 27. DOUBLE Olympic silver medalist Sandy Goss and one of Canada's icons of swimming, Jane Kerr, were inducted into the Swimming Canada Circle of Excellence Hall of Fame in front of a packed house at the Bell Grand Prix in Toronto.
The Circle of Excellence provides Swimming Canada with the opportunity to recognize swimming heroes of the past. Canada has very strong alumni of swimming champions who, as mentors, inspires current and future national team members. The Circle of Excellence honors those individuals who have made such a significant contribution to the sport of swimming in Canada.
"I wouldn't have got to the podium without the support of my coaches Mark Temple, Paul Bergen, Randy Reese, Mitch Ivey, Byron MacDonald and Dave Johnson at the Olympics," said Sandy Goss. "My family and teammates have been so supportive during my swimming career and I am forever grateful."
"Sandy has made a big impact on many swimmers that followed in his footsteps," said Montreal National Center Coach Paul Bergen. "We are all proud of this individual and this is a well deserved recognition."
Sandy Goss was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia on October 2, 1966. At the age of eight, Sandy moved to Toronto and started to swim for the North York Aquatic Club. By the age of eleven, Goss made the tour team for Canada that traveled to Germany and won two silver medals. At age of seventeen, Goss broke the short course world record in the 200 backstroke at Canadian Nationals.
He then went on to represent Canada at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea. Goss was a member of the 4×100 medley relay that won the Olympic silver medal at both the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games. Throughout his swimming career, Goss was a 14-time Canadian National Champion, a member of the National team for 10 years, the 1984 Aquatic Athlete of the Year, and a member of the Ontario Aquatic Hall of Fame.
Goss was a member of the National Team from 1983 until 1992. He attended the University of Florida in Gainesville and was a 24-time All American as well as a 26-time All-SEC (South Eastern Conference) from 1987 to 1991. Goss lives in Toronto with his wife Judy and has two children; Riley 11 and Kennedy 10. He currently works as a stock broker for Research Capital in Toronto. Sandy was coached by: Mark Temple, Paul Bergen, Randy Reese, Mitch Ivey and Byron MacDonald.
"Walking on this pool deck still gives me goose bumps," said Kerr. "I am very fortunate that my parents made the commitment to support my dreams of becoming an Olympic medalist. Fortunately I had great coaches throughout my career that played a great role in my development as an athlete and as a person."
"Jane was my first Canadian record holder as a coach in Canada" said Bergen. "I am very proud of Jane's accomplishments and it was a privilege to be her coach."
Born May 12, 1968 in Mississauga Ontario, Kerr started her swimming career in 1976 with the Etobicoke Swim Club. Kerr represented Canada at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea. She was a member of the 4×100 medley relay team that won an Olympic bronze medal at the games in 1988.
After the ‘88 Games, Kerr attended the University of Florida in Gainesville. During her university years she represented the University team and was a 23 time All-American, 5-time South Eastern Conference Champion (SEC) and the team captain of the women's swim team in 1991-1992.
In 1992, Kerr graduated with Honors in Business Administration. She is currently a Partner at Accenture, a consulting company in Toronto. Kerr resides in Mississauga, Ontario with her husband Max and their 19 month old daughter Charlotte. Kerr was coached by: Gunter Richter – 1976-1978, Mark Temple – 1979-1981, Claudia Thompson – 1981-1982, Paul Bergen – 1982-1988, Randy Reese 0 1988-1990 (Florida), Mitch Ivey – 1990-1992 (Florida).