Sports Wall of Fame

Gardner, Larry

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Player Name: Gardner, Larry
Type: Athlete
Sport: Swimming
Inducted: 2020
Era: Pre 1990
Description: As a youth, Niagara Falls native Larry Gardner enjoyed swimming and became an adept aquatic athlete. In 1974, he was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident, and Larry lost his left leg above the knee, drastically changing his life.
Larry became inspired while reading a local newspaper article about a local competitive amputee swimmer named Jackie Mitchell. He called her to arrange a meeting at the Niagara Falls YMCA, where she trained with her coach, Mac Bowman. Larry joined their rigorous training schedule in preparation for becoming a competitor in amputee swimming. After successfully competing in several Canadian competitions, Larry was ready to take on the world.
In 1979, Larrry competed at the World Amputee Games, at Stoke-Mandeville, in Aylesbury, England and won a gold medal in the 100 meter breaststroke and a silver medal in the 100 meter breaststroke and a bronze medal in the 100 meter butterfly.
Larry's formidable willpower and exceptional work ethic has made him a hero and role model to all. We are proud to honour him with a place on the Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame.
Subject: Niagara Falls Virtual Sports Wall of Fame
Awards
Portraits - Biographical
Sports - Recreation - Leisure