Stephen MitrukStephen MitrukLindsay de Vet and Lindsay de Vet and

Melissa Van HelvoortMelissa Van Helvoort

BiographyBiography

Born January 17, 1947Born January 17, 1947

First introduced to gymnastics through First introduced to gymnastics through Hamilton’s local YMCA at the age of 10Hamilton’s local YMCA at the age of 10

Attended McMaster University to further Attended McMaster University to further his studies and athleticshis studies and athletics

Busy schedule with competitions and Busy schedule with competitions and trainingtraining

Trained with the Hamilton Germanian ClubTrained with the Hamilton Germanian Club

TalentTalent

The Parallel Bars, Horizontal Bars, Rings, The Parallel Bars, Horizontal Bars, Rings, and Pommelled Horse is what he was best and Pommelled Horse is what he was best known for.known for.

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Represented Canada in the :Represented Canada in the : 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico 1970 World Championship in Yugoslavia 1970 World Championship in Yugoslavia 1971 Pan Am Games in Cali, Columbia 1971 Pan Am Games in Cali, Columbia 1972 Olympic Games in Germany 1972 Olympic Games in Germany 1974 World Championship Games in Bulgaria 1974 World Championship Games in Bulgaria one of six Canadians chosen to go to the one of six Canadians chosen to go to the

World Gymnastics Championship in Bulgaria World Gymnastics Championship in Bulgaria 1970 World Student Games in Italy 1970 World Student Games in Italy

HighlightsHighlights

Olympics in Mexico City in 1968 Olympics in Mexico City in 1968

Pan am Games Pan am Games

World Championship Games in World Championship Games in Yugoslavia and Bulgaria Yugoslavia and Bulgaria

Founder of Burlington Gymnastics ClubFounder of Burlington Gymnastics Club

ObstaclesObstacles

In the early years, rules stated that if you In the early years, rules stated that if you were an amateur you could not earn were an amateur you could not earn money through your sport.money through your sport.Injuries: knee injury before upcoming Injuries: knee injury before upcoming event.event.Had financial support from family only.Had financial support from family only.

““No athlete made it to the top on their own, No athlete made it to the top on their own, they had an entourage of support.” they had an entourage of support.”

TodayToday

Founder of Burlington Gymnastics Club.Founder of Burlington Gymnastics Club.

His wife score keeps for Gymnastic His wife score keeps for Gymnastic competitionscompetitions

Trained his son, and now continues to Trained his son, and now continues to coach and plan competitions.coach and plan competitions.

Looking back: “All of them are very special Looking back: “All of them are very special memories that mean a lot to me. It was memories that mean a lot to me. It was meaningful for my whole family.”meaningful for my whole family.”