Gay Igloo Recipient (January 2009)

Born in Calgary, Alberta (July 2, 1968) Mark Tewksbury is a former Canadian swimmer best know for winning the gold medal in the 100 metre backstroke at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Mark trained at the University of Calgary. He was also a former host of the Canadian television show, "How It's Made". He also made the cover of Time magazine. He was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, and the International Swimming Hall of Fame and was named Canada’s Male Athlete of the Year. December 1998 he was the first Canadian athlete to voluntarily out himself and announce to the media he was gay. As a result he lost a six-figure contract as a motivational speaker. Tewksbury became a prominent advocate for gay rights and gay causes in Canada and the world. In 2003 Tewksbury joined the board of directors for the 2006 World Outgames Montreal. Mark was also cover boy for Canada's Sears catalogue. Always supporting gay issues Mark is known for his sense of humour as seen in some of the pics above, even dressed in drag for a Halloween Party.