Melanie MacKay’s distinguished career began in 1969, when she began training competitively as a swimmer. Four years later, she joined the highly competitive Oakville Aquatic Club where she was coached by Tom Arusoo, a respected producer of swimming champions. During these formative years, Arusoo encouraged her to follow her dream of becoming an Olympian—a feat which she ultimately achieved.
In 1976, MacKay qualified for the Canadian Olympic Swim Team at the Montreal Olympic, where she competed in the 200-metre breast stroke. That same year, she attained a world rank of 19th, and qualified to swim at the British and US Nationals. MacKay earned a variety of medals for her efforts, including bronze at the 1975 Canadian Nationals, bronze at the 1975 World Championship Trials, and fifth in the 1976 World Championships in Holland.
MacKay continued swimming throughout her university years, competing for the University of Alabama in the 1978 NCAA, Division 1 University Championships. She also competed for the University of Western Ontario, and was inducted into the Mustang Swimming Hall of Fame.
Upon retiring from competitive swimming, MacKay turned her attention to coaching. In 1986, she joined her old mentor, Arusoo, at the Windsor Aquatic Club as assistant coach. She has also coached in Peterborough, Hamilton, and Burlington.
Today, MacKay continues to give back to the young athletes of Oakville. Since 2003, she has acted as assistant coach for the Oakville Aquatic Club’s Olympic Way program.
