By Sam Cortes, Communications Coordinator

 

 

The Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame is proud to recognize Alex Gardiner as one of our inductees for the class of 2023.

Starting in 1974 at Arthur Day Junior High, Gardiner was a fixture in the coaching world. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Manitoba and started his track and field career as UM’s track and field head coach from 1984-92. During those years, he guided the acclaimed program to six men’s Canadian Intrauniversity Sport (CIS) national championships (four in T&F: 1988, ’89, ’90, ’92 and two in Cross Country: 1988, ’89).

Plus, Gardiner coached five Bisons athletes who performed in either the Olympics or World Championships, and coached four other Bisons athletes who competed at either Commonwealth Games, Pan Am Games, and FISU Games at the international level. 

His roster of athletes includes the likes of Cal Langford, Andre Smith, Tanya Brothers, Alanna (Yakiwchuk) Hinrichsen, and Colin Mathieson. In 2022, Gardiner was named to the Sport Manitoba Order of Excellence, the latest in a string of accolades that includes the Pat Gill Legacy Award and Coach of the Year honours from CIS. 

On the international stage, Gardiner completed his tenure as the head coach for the Canadian Olympic Track & Field team at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, where Canada had their best athletics performance since 1992. In addition, the Winnipeg native was the Olympic head coach for the Canadian track and field team at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics and was part of three other Olympics for Canada.

At the World Championship, he was head coach of Canada’s track and field team on four separate occasions (2003, ’05, ’09, ’11) plus sprints and relay coach three other times (1991, ’93, ’01).

Congratulations to Alex Gardiner, a deserving member of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame!

 

Join Us at the Annual Induction Ceremony

Want to be there for Alex’s induction, along with the rest of the class of 2023? Hear their stories and relive the defining moments that have shaped the sport community over the past five decades. Plus, enjoy cocktails and small bites in an intimate celebration with our honoured guests.

Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Thursday, November 2, 2023
7:30 p.m.
Victoria Inn, Winnipeg MB

Get your tickets now.

 

Thank you to the University of Manitoba Bisons for providing this biography of Alex Gardiner.