Synopsis:
Mark Tewksbury is best known as a gold–medal–winning Olympic swimmer. His remarkable sixteen–year athletic career included three Olympic medals, numerous world records, and inductions into three major halls of fame: the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Although retired as an athlete, Tewksbury remains a highly respected public figure. He delivered prized swimming analysis for the CBC from the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, hosts the Discovery Channel′s popular How It′s Made show, and is Co–President of the first World Outgames, Montreal 2006. Tewksbury has spoken to millions as part of his eighteen–year speaking career and remains much in demand as an inspirational speaker to companies and organizations around the world. For his active humanitarianism, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Western Ontario in 2001, and in 2005 Tewksbury was awarded the International Person of the Year Award at S?o Paulo Pride in Brazil. He currently lives in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. For more on Mark Tewksbury, please visit www.MarkTewksbury.com "To reach the pinnacle of Olympic Swimming takes incredible dedication, resilience and courage that few possess. To reach your true self takes these attributes and a great deal more courage so, therefore, even fewer arrive at this point in their lives. Mark Tewksbury is one of these courageous people who achieve so much and through pain, suffering, daring, and pure fight, become who they truly are, inside and out." ––Duncan Armstrong O.A.M., Australian Olympic Swimming Legend
Review:
"To reach the pinnacle of Olympic Swimming takes incredible dedication, resilience and courage that few possess. To reach your true self takes these attributes and a great deal more courage so, therefore, even fewer arrive at this point in their lives. Mark Tewksbury is one of these courageous people who achieve so much and through pain, suffering, daring, and pure fight, become who they truly are, inside and out." — Duncan Armstrong O.A.M., Australian Olympic Swimming Legend "It took talent, honesty, courage and guts for Mark Tewksbury to take on the world and become an Olympic champion. It took the combination of the same qualities to write this book." — Richard W. Pound, International Olympic Committee, Chairman of the World Anti–Doping Agency "A fascinating inside look at the life of one of Canada’s most outstanding sports figures. What it was like to be teased in high school though he was already an outstanding athlete. What it was like to explode into Olympic stardom with a gold–medal upset in swimming, to come out as a gay man amid post–Olympic celebrity, to become an advocate for athletes in the cutthroat, behind–the–scenes politics of sports. Mark Tewksbury has given us the unusual in an Olympic sports memoir—richly textured and deeply moving." — Patricia Nell Warren, author of The Front Runner "Mark’s story is not just about being a gay man in the world of sport. It’s a story about a human being that is true to himself no matter what! By sharing it he inspires all of us to do the same." —Johan Kenkhuis, Olympic swimming bronze (2000) and silver (2004) medallist, The Netherlands "Mark’s story is motivation for all who seek great achievement and will face obstacles along the path to that success. Straight talk indeed—and a fascinating peek inside the world of Olympic politics." — Neil G. Giuliano, President, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), and Mayor of Tempe, Arizona, USA, 1994–2004 "Mark Tewksbury traces his journey from shame and fear to pride and courage as a gay man. His story is especially inspiring because he is one of only a handful of world class gay male athletes who have publicly embraced their gay identity. Along the way, Mark shares his perspectives on the developing international LGBT sports movement and a vision for how sport can change the world for all of us regardless of our sexuality, gender or athletic ability." — Pat Griffin, Author, Strong Women, Deep Closets: Lesbians and Homophobia in Sport and Director of It Takes A Team! Education Campaign for LGBT Issues in Sport "Mark Tewksbury’s story of hurt, outrage and frustration, as a man who happens to be gay, is also a story of strength, boldness and human rights. A must–read for parents, educators, athletes and anyone who cares deeply about creating safe harbor for all kids." — Barbara Coloroso, Educator and Author, Just Because It’s Not Wrong Doesn’t Make It Right: From Toddlers to Teens, Teaching Kids to Think and Act Ethically "Against the odds, he won a gold medal in Barcelona. He made a difference. As a commentator with CBC in Athens in 2004, he again made a difference. He was honest, outspoken and articulate, qualities that run through the pages of this book." — Brian Williams, Olympic Broadcaster "Mark Tewksbury’s charisma radiates throughout this poignant story of his life development into an Olympic hero. I found myself riveted with the human drama while gaining knowledge and understanding concerning the struggles and triumphs of the LGBT sports movement. A read that should not be missed." —Helen Carroll, Sports Project Coordinator, National Center For Lesbian Rights "Tewksbury opens the whole closet for us to view his life of glamour, guts and despair. His story is as much a testimony to the strength of femininity as it is an indictment of the cult of masculinity." — Eric Anderson, Ph.D., Author of In the Game: Gay Athletes and the Cult of Masculinity and Trailblazing: The True Story of America’s First Openly Gay High School Coach "Mark takes the reader on an interesting journey of his life and provides insight into the highest echelons of elite sport from many unique perspectives." — Alex Baumann, Executive Director, Queensland Academy of Sport, Australia "This book and the young life it chronicles will open doors to many. I recall the attitudes so pervasive in locker room culture when I participated in the swimming scene. For writing about his personal struggle, Tewksbury should add bravery to his already impressive list of attributes." — Jack Layton, Leader of the Federal New Democratic Party of Canada "We knew Mark was a great swimmer, but who knew he could write so well! The courage he showed in his competition is mirrored in his book. A great story from a very brave man." — Vicki Gabereau, Popular Broadcaster
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