Philip Delesalle (1994)

Phillip Delesalle is regarded as Canada's greatest male gymnast of all time. The Victoria native started his career at the Victoria YMCA when he was only eight years old. He trained and competed relentlessly until he achieved five consecutive Canadian men's championships from 1976 to 1980, two gold medals at the 1978 Edmonton Commonwealth Games, represented Canada at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and only missed the 1980 Moscow Olympics because of the vengeful western countries boycott. Phillip's work ethic in the gym was legendary and it paid off in his continuing assent in the world ranks from his 22nd position overall in the Montreal Olympics to his 12th overall finish in the 1979 world championships in Fort Worth, Texas. He was touted as a strong medal prospect for the 1980 Olympics, but the politics of the day ruined his and many a young athlete's dreams. Phillip is credited as being a role model for the generation of athlete's competing in the world arena after him.