By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Two-Time Paralympian

Red Deer swimmer Tammy Cunnington retires after final Paralympic swim

Sep 3, 2021 | 11:13 AM

Her goggles filling with tears as she touched the wall during her final Paralympic race this week, Red Deer swimmer Tammy Cunnington has officially retired.

Cunnington wrapped up her elite athletic career after a seventh place finish in the 50M backstroke S4 heats at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

A member of the Red Deer Catalina Swim Club, she posted a time of 1:09:89 in the event, and did not advance to the finals. She also finished 7th in her heat for the 50M breaststroke SB3, not advancing.

At age six, Cunnington was struck by a propeller at an air show in Ponoka, leaving her a paraplegic, with full use of her right arm, core and shoulders.

Speaking with rdnewsNOW over social media from Japan, Cunnington thanked her supporters, particularly coach Mandi Smith and husband Martin Piffer.

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“Being a Paralympian means the world to me. Not just for me but for raising awareness and respect for people with physical differences. The Games gives people a new way to see us and helps people see what we can do instead of what we can’t,” says Cunnington, now 45.

Red Deer’s Tammy Cunnington retired this week after competing in two Paralympics — Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016. (Supplied)

“Swimming my last race in a Canada suit was bittersweet. I’ve loved the last few years of competing for Canada, but I know in my heart it’s time. I’m ready to be fit and active, but without the pressures of competition.”

She admits too that it’s hard to say goodbye to the sport with Paris 2024 just three years away. “The only thing that makes my decision easier is that I continue to be the only one in my class swimming with one arm,” she explains.

“That makes the depth of the field much larger than all of my teammates’ races.” Cunnington competed at the Games against swimmers in multiple classifications, meaning there are disparities between how much each swimmer is actually impaired.

This, she adds, is not a new issue, and is one where she’s advocated for change. Cunnington plans to continue as an ambassador, volunteer and advocate, including with Fast and Female. She also plans to grow her speaking business and continue fighting for girls and women to have equity at all levels of sport.

“The most memorable part of these Games was walking out on the competition deck the first time. I really doubted I’d make the team again and doubted the Games would happen due to COVID-19, so it was incredibly surreal and emotional,” she says.

“I’m really focusing on my legacy in sport being about more than my rankings and times. It’s important to me that I’ve competed with honour, integrity and sportsmanship and that I’ve strived to be a strong teammate and strong role model. I’ve represented Canada to the best of my ability with my commitment, dedication and passion and even though I may not have achieved all I’ve wanted, I’ll celebrate my lifelong journey to live a high quality of life and encouraging others to do so.”