Karen McPherson (swimmer)

Karen McPherson (born in 1951) is a Canadian retired Paralympic athlete. She won three medals in swimming events at the 1968 Summer Paralympics, held in Tel Aviv.

Karen McPherson
Personal information
NationalityCanadian
Born1950 or 1951 (age 72–73)[1]
Sport
CountryCanada
SportSwimming
Medal record
Athletics at the Summer Paralympics
Representing  Canada
Paralympics
Bronze medal – third place1968 Tel AvivWomen's 50m breaststroke class 3 incomplete
Bronze medal – third place1968 Tel AvivWomen's 100m breaststroke open
Silver medal – second place1968 Tel AvivWomen's 50m backstroke class 3 incomplete

Early life

McPherson became paraplegic in infancy, after surviving polio.[2] She used arm crutches, leg braces, and a wheelchair.[3][4] She was a student at Vancouver's Little Flower Academy,[4][1] and attended Vancouver City College.[5]

Swimming career

McPherson competed in the first Pan American Wheelchair Games, held in Winnipeg in 1967, and won seven gold medals in swimming events.[4][6] She won three medals in the 1968 Summer Paralympics, held in Tel Aviv.[1][7] She was the youngest British Columbian on the Canadian national team.[8] In 1969, she swam on a relay team with Gwen John, Hilda Binns, and Elaine Ell,[9] and won seven medals at the Pan-American Wheelchair Games in Buenos Aires.[5][10] In 1971 she competed in the Western Washington Wheelchair Games in Seattle, setting a record in the backstroke event.[3] In 1973, she broke two national records at the B.C. Wheelchair Games.[11][12] She held seven national Canadian records in 1974,[13]

McPherson was nominated for Junior Athlete of the Year by the Vancouver Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1969.[14] She was active in the British Columbia Wheelchair Sports Association in its early years.[3]

References
  1. "Karen Earns Team Berth". Vancouver Sun. September 7, 1968. p. 22. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  2. "Paralympic Team Gets Rousing Welcome Home". Vancouver Sun. November 22, 1968. p. 10. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  3. Alsop, Kay (1971-06-22). "It's a Long Way to Jamaica". The Province. p. 28. Retrieved 2021-07-22 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Paraplegic Wins Sept. Teen Honor". The Province. 1968-09-06. p. 12. Retrieved 2021-07-22 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Watters, Dave (1969-12-15). "A Big Hand for Seven Aces". The Vancouver Sun. p. 21. Retrieved 2021-07-22 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Watters, Dave (1967-08-14). "Canadian Paraplegics Learn the Hard Way". The Vancouver Sun. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-07-22 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Karen Captures Silver, Bronze". The Vancouver Sun. November 8, 1968. p. 19. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  8. "And Now the Israel Paralympics". The Vancouver Sun. 1968-10-29. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-07-22 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Gwen Collects Gold as Canadians Third". Times Colonist. 1969-12-08. p. 14. Retrieved 2021-07-22 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "A Real Midas Touch". The Province. 1969-12-08. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-07-22 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "National Records Tumble as Festival Kicks Off". The Vancouver Sun. 1973-05-22. p. 28. Retrieved 2021-07-22 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Festival Opens in Victoria". Quesnel Cariboo Observer. 1973-05-30. pp. B3. Retrieved 2021-07-22 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Athletes in their Wheelchairs". Quesnel Cariboo Observer. 1974-05-01. pp. B1. Retrieved 2021-07-22 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "B.C. Awards Banquet Set". The Province. 1969-02-18. p. 17. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
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