Calgary Olympian Mark Tewksbury shows us his city
Family and friends, good times and bad
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, gave motivational speeches, worked as a director for the 2006 World Out Games and 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 town and tell us about the places that meant the most to him here. Places that changed his life.
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So we jumped in a car and 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.
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.
'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 three world records in front of a hometown crowd.
Victoria's Restaurant
"One person can create a space for someone to shine."
On the couple of friends who helped Mark out in hard times, acted as his first sponsors, and gave him 50 bucks' worth of free food.
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 at Calgary at a Crossroads.