Donna Marie GURR

Donna Gurr took up swimming at the age of 10 and, three years later, attempted to qualify for the 1968 Summer Olympics. Although she did not make the team, she was in attendance at the 1970 Commonwealth Games and took home silver in the 200 metre backstroke and bronze in the 100 metre backstroke and the 4x100 metre medley relay (alongside Angela Coughlan, Sylvia Dockerill, and Susan Smith). Her next stop was the 1971 Pan American Games, where she captured gold in the 100 and 200 m backstroke events, as well as the 4x100 m medley relay, and silver in the 4x100 m freestyle relay. She was then selected for the 1972 Summer Olympics, where she won bronze in the 200 m backstroke and was eliminated in the semifinals of the 100 m version.

Gurr next travelled to the 1973 World Championships, but failed to reach the podium. The following year, however, she won silver in the 100 m backstroke and bronze in the 200 m backstroke at the 1974 Commonwealth Games. She retired from active competition following this tournament, although she did attempt, unsuccessfully, to qualify for the 1976 Summer Olympics. She has been inducted into the British Columbia Sports, British Columbia Swimming, and Canadian Aquatic Halls of Fame.