You were inducted in 2001, tell us what you have been up to since then?
The induction was very special, and to happened 23 years after winning gold at the World Aquatic Championships in Berlin. It flooded me with so many wonderful moments. We were living in London at the time, out of coaching and out of touch with sport. The induction was so much more than the recognition of my success, it was a huge nod to our sport and all the athletes, coaches and officials involved in Synchronized Swimming. Thank you so much for the Honor.
What do you do for work / as a profession?
After retiring, I coached and trained as a professional coach under Debbie Muir and the Coaching Association of Canada. Working with Junior athletes, including future Olympians, Michelle Cameron, Cari Read, Karen Fonteyne and Karen Clark. Towards the end of my coaching career I successfully coached/lead the Canadian National team to a silver medal at World Aquatic Championships in Rome 1994. Coming full circle.
Are you still involved in artistic swimming in any capacity?
With a focus now on family and marriage I retired, and we moved first to London and later to Houston Texas. We have two grown children, both with Master degrees, one a clinical psychologist and one initially an environmental scientist, but now a director/scientist for an Agricultural company, both in the US. Happily both are swimmers, skiers and tennis players!
Do you still stay in touch with any synchro swimming friends from your competition days, if so, who?
I do keep in touch with fellow Hall of Famer, Debbie Muir, Paragon Award winners Mary Ann Reeves and Margaret McLennan. We try to do an annual trip as friends and fellow synchro enthusiasts. There is a bit of banter about the changes and evolution of synchro to artistic swimming, but it is all positive! The artistic component to the sport has always held a special place for me and the collaboration with the swimmers, the music, the water, always was a key love of the sport. There are so many memories , probably the first time, nobody forgets, like when I swam my first mile, recorded my first 9 score, my first duet partner, and the first time they played the National anthem. I think it is the totality of the experience as swimmer and coach that stays with me today.
Michelle attending ISHOF’s 2022 Honoree Induction Ceremonies with fellow synchronized swimmer Judy McGowan
If you have children, do your kids swim, if yes, tell us about them, if no, tell us about what they are involved in (sports, arts, etc.)
When we lived in London I started tennis lessons, another incredibly technical sport, which is the aspect I love and of course I am still extremely competitive. I play doubles and love the chance to work with another player to be the best we can be. I play in numerous leagues in Houston TX and love the social interaction and celebration of a new sport.
What is best memory of your days in swimming? (You can have more than one)
The summers I spend in Canada on my farm, growing vegetables, another important part of my life.
Seeing the changes that have occurred in swimming/aquatics now versus when you were competing, do you wish you could have competed now, or are you glad you competed when you did and why?
I would love to go to LA Olympics and attend the artistic swimming, to celebrate and cheer the next champions.
Any advice to all the future want-to-be Olympic artistic swimmers out there?
Words for future,” have courage, use your imagination and remember. “
To read Michelle’s 2001 ISHOF biography, click here: https://ishof.org/honoree/honoree-michelle-calkins/