Olympics

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In 1900 a University of Toronto graduate named George Orton became the first Canadian to earn gold at the Olympic Games - in the 2500m steeplechase.

And U of T faculty, students, staff and alumni have contributed to every Olympic Games since that day - as athletes, medical staff, coaches and commentators – more than 460 men and women.

Over the years, more than 80 U of T athletes have won medals – including alumnus Norman Lane, who brought home a bronze in canoeing from the last London Games, in 1948.

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Alumna Donna Vakalis completed her master’s degree in architecture in 2009 and is set to begin her PhD in civil engineering at the University of Toronto this fall. As a member of the Varsity Blues she was a versatile athlete competing in fencing, cross country and track and field. On Sunday, August 12, Vakalis will use her impressive skills to compete in the Modern Pentathlon.

Before leaving for London, Vakalis spoke with writer Gavin Au-Yeung.

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Bryon Macdonald (head coach) and Linda Kiefer (assistant coach) are crucial members of U of T’s Varsity Blues swim team. Macdonald is in his 35th season with the team and Kiefer is in her 23rd. Their program has produced outstanding athletes and this year - as with previous Olympics - some of those athletes are competing at the Games.

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With an estimated 14,000 athletes from more than 200 countries and millions of visitors arriving from around the world to cheer them on, some Londoners may fear catching more than Olympic fever.

But U of T’s Dr. Kamran Khan is on alert for any sign of trouble.

“This is an unprecedented period in history, where every few years we are exposed to disease,” says Khan. The associate professor of infectious diseases is an expert on outbreaks of illness such as West Nile, SARS or H1N1.

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As a former Varsity Blues captain and assistant coach, Elodie Li Yuk Lo has found much success in volleyball. The U of T alumna and two-time OUA second team all-star recently secured a berth to represent Mauritius in beach volleyball at the 2012 London Olympic Games – the first-ever appearance for the small island nation.

Now living in France and preparing for the Games, Li Yuk Lo spoke with writer Gavin Au-Yeung about her experiences by phone.