Mark Johnston

Biography

Mark Johnston competed at two straight Olympic Games, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. His consecutive 10-year run as a member of the Canadian national team was longer than any other swimmer at the time.

Born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario, Johnston was first named to the national team in 1996 while representing Swim Brock Niagara (now Brock Niagara Aquatics). He went on to represent Canada at multiple major international competitions. He won a pair of bronze medals at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg in the 200m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay. He competed at two editions of the Commonwealth Games in 1998 and 2002, winning a silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the latter. He competed at two long course World Aquatics Championships (2001, 2003) as well as three short course World Swimming Championships (1997, 1999, 2002). He won bronze in the 200m freestyle at the 2002 short course worlds. In three appearances at the Pan Pacific Championships (1997, 1999, 2002) he won two relay bronze medals. Johnston finished his career as a 14-time national champion.

Leading up to his retirement in 2005, Johnston helped pilot the RBC Olympians program in 2004, gaining valuable work experience while being provided the flexibility to train for and attend international competitions. He went on to earn his PFP certification as a Financial Planner and has held various senior roles at RBC, including Manager, Investment & Retirement Planning and Senior Manager, Digital Strategy & Experience. Johnston volunteers extensively, but is most proud of his time supporting the triathlon community and coaching aquatics in six secondary schools in the Vancouver Lower Mainland area.