The Athans Family: A Local Sports Dynasty

You could start a jewelry store with all the hardware members of the Athans family have won. The family patriarch, George Sr., won so many national championships his wife, Irene, can't even remember them all. But she does recall George competing in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

As a 17 year old, George won the bronze medal in springboard at the British Empire Games.

In 1948, he captained Canada's national Olympic team. In 1950, he won the gold medal in the British Empire Games in platform diving and won a silver medal in springboard in New Zealand.

George Athans

George is in the BC and Canadian Swim Halls of Fame.

George's wife, Irene, was a champion swimmer long before she met her future husband.

She won the Manitoba breaststroke title 10 years in a row and won the synchronized swimming title 5 years in a row. She also competed nationally, winning silver and bronze medals.

However, her best years were yet to come.

She started swimming in Masters at the age of 65 and has too many Canadian records to remember. She does, however, recall winning 6 gold medals in one Masters games.

Irene Athans

George Jr. has also held many World records. He was a Canadian champion in skiing both on water and on snow and was world water ski champion for 4 years.

He was BC Athlete of the Year in 1971 and Quebec's Athlete of the Year after he left Kelowna. George Jr. is in the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, has received the prestigious Order of Canada and is in the World Water Ski Hall of Fame.

Greg is best known for his exploits as a freestyle skier, capturing the World Championship in both moguls and ballet in 1977. He also excelled at water skiing, reigning as Canadian champion from 1975 to 1977. He was, at one time, ranked fourth in the World.

Greg Athans

Greg is also believed to be the only athlete to earn gold medals at both the Canada Summer and Canada Winter Games.

Gary is the youngest of the Athans clan but also went to the Olympics in Yugoslavia in 1984.

He won his first Junior national championship in water and snow skiing as a mere 15 year old. Gary was on the Canadian National (snow) Ski Team for 8 years and has owned and operated his own snow and water ski schools in Kelowna. Gary is now a successful realtor in Kelowna.

A local Kelowna swimming pool was named after the Athans' family many years ago.

Gary's lakefront home circa 1950. Ask Gary what it cost to buy then and what it's worth now!
	George Athans World Champion

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