Calgary Olympian Mark Tewksbury shows us his city - Action News
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Calgary Olympian Mark Tewksbury shows us his city

Mark Tewksbury tours us around his personal Calgary. The places in our city that mean the most to him and the places that changed his life.

Family and friends, good times and bad

Canadian 2012 chef de mission and former Olympic swimming gold medallist Mark Tewksbury reflects on the community he grew up in, good and bad. (Hans Deryk/Canadian Press)

This story was originally published Feb. 26.


It's a pretty impressive resume.

Mark Tewksbury won an Olympic gold medal, worked for the International Olympic Committee, served as Canada's chef de mission for the London 2012 Olympic Games, narrated a TV show, gavemotivational speeches, worked as a director for the 2006 World Out Gamesand championed GLBTQ rights across Canada.

Not bad for a fella who grew up right here in Calgary.

As part of our Calgary at a Crossroads series, we asked Mark to take us around townand tell us about the places that meant the most to him here. Places that changed his life.

So we jumped in a carand here's where he took us.

Junior high school

"I opened the locker and there was the word fag written all over."

Mark tells us about his experiences in Grade 8. His moment of self-realization, being bullied, how the principal suggested he change schools, and the beginning of his double life.

Mark Tewksbury on junior high

9 years ago
Duration 3:14
Mark Tewksbury tours us around his personal Calgary. The places in our city that mean the most to him and the places that changed his life.

Chinook mall

"It was just through these doors, walking in like any other normal mall,and our lives would never be the same."

The day Mark learned his father had cancer, and how it helped to change their relationship.

Mark Tewksbury's Chinook mall

9 years ago
Duration 1:34
Mark Tewksbury tours us around his personal Calgary. The places in our city that mean the most to him and the places that changed his life.

'Lindsay Park'

"You can come from Calgary and be the best in the world."

Mark meets up with an old friend at the pool. He talks about how the smell of chlorine brings back memories. And what it means to him that he set threeworld records in front of a hometown crowd.

Mark Tewksbury's 'Lindsay Park'

9 years ago
Duration 2:05
Mark Tewksbury tours us around his personal Calgary. The places in our city that mean the most to him and the places that changed his life.

Victoria's Restaurant

"One person can create a space for someone to shine."

On the couple of friends whohelped Mark out in hard times, acted as his first sponsors, and gavehim 50 bucks' worth of free food.

Mark Tewksbury on Victoria's Restaurant

9 years ago
Duration 1:45
Mark Tewksbury tours us around his personal Calgary. The places in our city that mean the most to him and the places that changed his life.

Calgary at a Crossroads is CBC Calgary's special focus on life in our city during the downturn. A look at Calgary's culture, identity and what it means to be Calgarian. Read more stories from the series atCalgary at a Crossroads.