Andrew Hurd began swimming at the age of eight—and was immediately flagged as a superstar. After graduating from Oakville Trafalgar High School in 2001, he received a swimming scholarship from the University of Michigan, where he excelled in racing. By the time he graduated in 2005 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he had enjoyed enjoyed a successful swimming career as a six time all-American, and swam a leg on a NCAA Championship 800-metre relay team.
Hurd went on to represent Canada at three Olympics, including Sydney (2000), Athens (2004), and Beijing (2008). In his final Olympics, his freestyle relay team just missed the podium with a fifth-place finish— but managed to set a new Canadian record.
In spectacular fashion, Hurd won a gold medal in the 800-metre freestyle (and set another Canadian record time) at the 2006 Pan Pacific Championships. He also earned a silver medal as part of the relay team. Further, at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, he earned individual podium appearances with silver medals in the 400-metre freestyle and 1,500-metre freestyle races.
He was also a bronze medal winner in the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, set a Canadian record in the 400-metre freestyle at the 2004 Canadian Olympic trials, and won a silver medal in the 4 x 400 relay at the World Aquatic Championships in Montreal.
In 2005, Hurd was recognized in 2005 as Canadian swimmer of the year in both distance and relay designations. After the 2008 Olympics and an amazing career, Andrew retired from competitive swimming to pursue business interests.
