46 years later, this 1977 Canada Games gold medallist looks back on his historic race

As the calendar creeps closer to the start of the 2025 Canada Games in St. John's, one of the biggest heroes from the last time the city played host remembers the moment that launched his swimming career. 

Aug. 16, 1977, may be remembered by some as the day that Elvis Presley died — but not if you live in the Tucker household. 

"That's the day he won his gold medal, and it was very big," said Keelin Tucker, who is only a handful of years older than her dad was when he won the 200-metre butterfly.

"Every year we talk about Aug. 16." 

Blair Tucker travelled from Ottawa, which he now calls home, to watch his daughter finish her career as a Memorial University swimmer in March.

The last time the swim coach attended a meet at the Aquarena in St. John's was in 1977, when he was a fresh-faced 17-year-old who won gold for his province at the Canada Games. 

"Having the Games here was huge," Tucker said. "Now we could stand up, perform and be on the map."

Facing the standing-room-only crowd gathered on the nearly brand-new pool deck at the Aquarena, wearing red swim trunks, a tight white swim cap and no goggles, the teenager put together a race that people still talk to him about. 

"Believe it or not, I still get it," Tucker said.

"We are all a different hair colour now but they go, 'I was there that day' and I'm going 'wow.'"

Keelin, 25, obviously wasn't one of those fans but recently watched video of the race for the first time.

"I never knew how close the finish was," she said. "Watching it, I almost didn't know if he was gonna win, but I knew he was gonna win. It was really surreal to watch."

The swim win help launched the elder Tucker to the senior national swim team in 1980, where he would become a senior national champion. 

Nearly 50 years later, ahead of the Games' return to St. John's, he recognizes how important they are to young athletes

"It is a good stepping stone for kids to go from there to a more senior national scene. Get on the national teams, tour teams, he said.

WATCH | See the entire 200m butterfly race with colourful commentary from the late Ted Reynolds:  

Here is the entire 200 metre butterfly race from the 1977 St. John's Canada Games.

2 years ago

Duration 4:07

17 year-old Blair Tucker takes home gold by 4/100s of a second.

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