Lesley Thompson-Willie, from London, ON, is a legendary coxswain of the Canadian women’s eight rowing team. She won a silver medal at London 2012, making her a five-time Olympic medallist and seventime Olympian.
She is one of only three Canadian women, along with Marnie McBean and Kathleen Heddle, with four Olympic Rowing medals – one gold (1992), two silver (1984, 1996) and one bronze (2000). She was tied for second all-time among Canadian summer Olympians and is now the first Canadian athlete to win medals in five different Olympic Games.
Competing in a career total of 16 World Championships, Thompson-Willie has won eight medals (one gold, three silver, four bronze). Having competed consistently for Canada from 1980 to 2000, Thompson-Willie retired after the 2000 Olympic Games, only to return to the national team in 2006.
In 1994, Thompson-Willie, a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, was named to the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Has won four Olympic medals in her career as coxswain
- Seven-time Olympian
- Olympic champion in 1992
- Has six World Championship medals, including the 1991 World title
- 1986 Commonwealth Games champion in the coxed fours
- Named to the Canada Sports Hall of Fame
- Competed from 1980 to 2000, then retired after the 2000 Olympic Games
