INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS (SWIMMER): World Points – 967, Pre 1986 Points 0, Total Points – 967. Since 1986, she has competed in 7 age groups (50-54 through 80-84). 25 FINA MASTERS WORLD RECORDS.
As a young girl she learned to swim at the “Y”. Judie Oliver began competing in Masters Swimming in 1975 and is the Founder and Coach of the North York Masters Aquatic Club. She has been in the Top Ten for 26+ years. She has set one or more world records in eight different age groups.
She has set 27 FINA Masters World Records, five in long course meters in the butterfly and 22 in short course meters in the butterfly, individual medley and breaststroke. She has accumulated 18 number 1, 15 number 2 and 20 number 3 long course meters rankings and 58 number 1, 52 number 2 and 38 number 3 for a total of 77 number 1, 67 number 2 and 58 number 3 world rankings. She has competed at six FINA Masters World Championships winning 15 gold, 14 silver and 2 bronze medals.
In 2010, Judie was inducted into the Masters Swimming Canada Hall of Excellence. She has received the City of North York Mayor’s medal, the Ontario Sports Recognition Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the Royal Lifesaving Society of Canada Medal and she is a member of the Scarborough Honor Roll.
Judie is not only a competitor but she also gives back to her community and to her sport. She has earned a place on the Swim Ontario Roll of Honour for 30 years of service as a swim meet official. In addition, Judie officiated at the 1976 Olympiad for the physically disabled, the pre-cursor to the Paralympic Games, as well as the 2000 Special Olympics.
Judie is a strong believer of every child being able to swim. She is advocating that every school board offer a one or preferably two week lesson program for children in grades two, three and four. She says “Our children are too precious to lose to a needless cause.” Judie has worked with the City of Scarborough on such a program, but would like to see it broadened to encompass all school boards, both private and public.