Athletes attending Canada Artistic Swimming’s 2019 National Qualifier event in Montréal elected Olivia Zawadiuk as the new Athlete Chair for a three-year term.
Zawadiuk has been involved in artistic swimming for the past 14 years. She began swimming with the BC Aquasonics and also swam with the Calgary Aquabelles for two years when she was a Junior. She is a past member of Canada’s National 13-15 and Junior Artistic Swimming Teams, and a notable 2011 Canada Winter Games alumnus for Team BC. She will be graduating from the University of British Columbia (UBC) this year with a degree in Kinesiology. While a student, she swam for the UBC Artistic Swimming Club within the Canadian University Artistic Swimming League (CUASL) and served as President of the UBC Artistic Swimming Club. She coaches part-time for the BC Aquasonics. As she retires from athletic competition, she is excited to move into this role, to stay involved in the sport and continue to make positive changes within Canada Artistic Swimming.
The election was conducted and the announcement made by the outgoing Athlete Council chair, Shelby Harding.
In making the announcement Harding added her congratulations and best wishes, and as she welcomed Zawadiuk into the role said, “we are confident you will represent the athlete voice to the best of your ability with commitment of your expertise and time.”
CAS’ Board President Judi Enns Bradette congratulated Zawadiuk and also recognized and thanked the retiring Athlete Chair, Toronto’s Shelby Harding, for her four years in the role. She presented Harding with the CAS retiring board member pin at the event in Montréal.
The Athlete Chair is elected by the athletes and serves as the Committee Chair for the Athlete Council, attends the board meetings of and acts as council to the Canada Artistic Swimming Board of Directors. They must be a former Canadian National Team member (either 13-15, Junior or Senior), and have been retired within 5 years at the time of their election. The role is a key one for CAS as it provides a direct voice for athletes into the sport of artistic swimming in Canada.