Ladner resident, Michael Edgson, who is partially blind, is Canada’s most decorated Paralympian. He competed internationally as a swimmer in able bodied as well as para events. Having won 18 Gold and 3 Silver medals, and set 9 World Records during his career as a Paralympic Swimmer, he carried the Canadian flag during the closing ceremonies at the 1988 Paralympics in Seoul, South Korea.
During his swimming career he says he was not so much focused on winning an event, as hating to lose one.
He won Gold Medals in all 9 individual and team swimming events at the Seoul Paralympics. Four years later, at the Barcelona Paralympics, he won a Gold Medal and Silver Medal in the two events he entered. He recalls that one reason the other swimmer won in his Silver Medal event, aside from the other swimmer having been a better swimmer that day, was that he focused too much on what his competitor was doing in the lane beside him and not fully on his own performance. It’s a life lesson for anybody whatever their career and passion might be.
Michael has been recognized for his success being inducted into a number of Halls including:
• Canadian Sports Hall of Fame
• Terry Fox Hall of Fame
• B.C. Sports Hall of Fame
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| Robert Silvester and Richard Shantz flank and thank Michael Edgson, with his Barcelona Paralympic Games gold medal |
A resident of Ladner for the last 16 years, Michael remains active lending his unique perspective and philanthropic endeavors to a number of organizations including:
• Disability Advisory Committee with Canada Revenue Agency
• Canadian Paralympic Committee & Foundation
• Swimming Canada
• Delta Gymnastics