Trailblazing Nancy Ellen Garapick, the Canadian Olympic swimmer who won two bronze medals at the 1976 Montreal Games, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2026, at her home in Langley, British Columbia. She was 64 years old. Born in Halifax on September 24, 1961, Garapick began swimming at age seven with the Halifax Trojan Aquatic Club under coach Nigel Kemp.
Her rise to national prominence came early. At just 13 years old, she set a world record in the 200-metre backstroke during the 1975 Eastern Canadian Championships in Brantford, Ontario. Later that same year, she was named Canada’s female athlete of the year, becoming the youngest woman to ever receive the honor.
Garapick’s defining moment arrived during the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. At only 14 years old, she represented Canada on home soil and captured the hearts of the nation by winning bronze medals in both the 100-metre and 200-metre backstroke events. She also set an Olympic record in the 100-metre backstroke heats, becoming Canada’s only double medalist of those Games.
Throughout her career, Garapick amassed 17 national titles. She earned silver and bronze medals at the 1975 World Championships in Cali, Colombia, added a relay bronze at the 1978 World Championships in Berlin, and secured five medals at the 1979 Pan American Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was selected for the 1980 Olympic team, but Canada joined the United States-led boycott of the Moscow Games.
Garapick retired from competitive swimming in 1983. She later swam collegiately at the University of Southern California before transitioning to a career as a teacher in the Yukon, where she continued to demonstrate the same dedication that had defined her athletic career.
Her contributions to Canadian sport have been widely recognized. She was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2008, as well as the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. In 2018, she was named one of the 15 greatest athletes in Nova Scotia’s history.
Fellow Canadian Olympian Pamela Rai remembered Garapick as “one of my biggest heroes,” describing her as bubbly, friendly, and compassionate, an athlete who deserved greater recognition for her success.
Garapick’s passing leaves a profound void in the Canadian swimming community. Her legacy of excellence, discipline, and unwavering determination continues to inspire young athletes across the country. She is survived by her family, who have requested privacy during this difficult time. No cause of death has been publicly released.