Brent Hayden

He’d just won that long sought-after medal at the London 2012 Olympics in the 100m freestyle—a career-culminating bronze, Canada’s first-ever in the event—that had millions of Canadians dancing in their living rooms across the country. In the Aquatic Centre’s warm-down pool, Hayden was thinking over his 24 years of swimming ups and downs, just letting this defining accomplishment sink in, when next came the topper. Michael Phelps, the 18-time Olympic gold medalist in the lane over, pulled himself over the lane-rope and shook Hayden’s hand, offering congratulations on his medal performance. The exchange spoke volumes of the respect and admiration with which Hayden is held in the swimming world.

Raised in Mission, it’s hard to believe today, but Hayden wasn’t a natural when it came to swimming early on. The future world champion failed his first swimming lessons. He also wasn’t the most competitive kid. In an early race, he was more interested with the brightly-coloured fish painted on the pool floor than with keeping up with his opponents.