Vicki Keith is internationally recognized as one of the greatest marathon swimmers of all time — and equally respected for her lifelong commitment to inclusion and accessible sport. A multi–world record athlete, Keith has set 16 world records and earned more than 41 awards and honours, including induction into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame and the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
Keith made history as the first person to swim across all five Great Lakes, and remains the only athlete to complete a 104-kilometre double crossing of Lake Ontario. Many of her record-setting swims were also fundraising efforts, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for organizations such as Variety Village to support accessible aquatic facilities.
After retiring from professional marathon swimming, Keith turned her focus to coaching and advocacy. She went on to coach more than 20 athletes with disabilities to the national level, helping swimmers reach world championships, Paralympic competition, and historic open-water crossings. Her work helped build the largest Para swim team in Canada.
Today, Keith continues that mission as an inclusion advocate with BGC Southeast, supporting staff training, community outreach, and more inclusive programming. Her work remains focused on creating environments where all young people can build confidence, belonging, and opportunity — in sport and beyond.
Vicki Keith sat down with Alyssa Brush to discuss her ongoing work to build inclusive and accessible opportunities in sport.
