Donovan Tildesley

Donovan Tildesley
Personal information
NicknameBig D
NationalityCanadian
Born (1984-07-24) July 24, 1984
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height166 cm (5.45 ft)
Weight62 kg (137 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesMedley
Freestyle
Butterfly
College teamUniversity of British Columbia Dolphins
Medal record
Swimming
Paralympic Games
Silver medal – second place2004 Athens400m freestyle S11
Silver medal – second place2004 Athens200m individual medley SM11
Bronze medal – third place2000 Sydney200m individual medley SM11
Bronze medal – third place2004 Athens100m freestyle S11
Bronze medal – third place2008 Beijing100m freestyle S11
Parapan American Games
Gold medal – first place2007 Rio de Janeiro50m freestyle S11
Gold medal – first place2007 Rio de Janeiro100m freestyle S11
Gold medal – first place2007 Rio de Janeiro400m freestyle S11
Gold medal – first place2007 Rio de Janeiro100m butterfly S11
Gold medal – first place2007 Rio de Janeiro200m individual medley SM11

Donovan Tildesley (born July 24, 1984) is a retired blind Canadian swimmer. He was the flag bearer of Canada at the 2008 Paralympic Games.[1]

Swimming career

He started swimming at the age of nine.[2] Until 2000, he had swum in many provincial and national competitions, setting many Canadian records.[2]

He is the current world record holder for the 800-metre freestyle[3] and the 1500-metre freestyle.[3]

Personal life and education

Tildesley graduated from the University of British Columbia in spring 2008 with an English degree[4] Donovan works full-time as an insurance broker for Buntain Insurance Agencies in Vancouver.[5] He also does public speaking and is a co-owner of a small radio station in Whistler, British Columbia.[4] In May 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia, Tildesley advocated for blind British Columbians to be given vaccine priority similar to vulnerable groups with other medical conditions.[5] Donovan is also a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and is currently contracted with Virgin Cruise Lines as an Accessibility Consultant. In 2024, Tildesley portrayed a blind veteran and lent his voice for the end narration of a Heritage Minute honouring Edwin Baker.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Paralympics open in Beijing". CBC News. Sympatico. 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  2. 1 2 Tildesley, Donovan. "Biography-Donovan Tildesley" (PDF). Yellowknife Polar Bear Swim Club. Retrieved 2008-08-05. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. 1 2 "Canadian Paralympic Committee congratulates four-time Paralympic swimmer Donovan Tildesley on retirement". Newswire.ca. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  4. 1 2 Lin, Brian (2008-09-04). "Tap and Rope Guide Swimmer to Victory". University of British Columbia. Archived from the original on 2011-05-21. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  5. 1 2 Tildesley, Donovan (May 6, 2021). "Vaccine must be prioritized for legally blind British Columbians". The Squamish Reporter. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  6. ↑ W Group, CN. "New Heritage Minute Celebrates Edwin Baker". Yahoo. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
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