Donovan Tildesley
CREDIT: Mike Ridewood/CPC
The Canadian Parlympic team flag bearer for the opening ceremony, Donovan Tildesley of Vancouver, sings "Oh Canada" with the flag draped over this shoulder at the Canadian flag raising ceremony at the Paralympic Village prior to the Paralympic Games in Beijing, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2008.


Our friend Donovan gets a huge congratulations for this honor!  

Go get 'em, Buddy…BRING HOME THE HARDWARE!!!

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(Wow…set to retire @ twenty-four…just like the pro-skateboarders…)

(Courtesy ctv.ca)

Blind swimmer will be flag-bearer at Paralympics
Updated Thu. Sep. 4 2008 8:05 AM ET
The Canadian Press
BEIJING -- Donovan Tildesley, a blind swimmer from Vancouver, will carry the Canadian team flag at the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games on Saturday.
Tildesley was very emotional when the announcement was made during a Team Canada function in Beijing on Thursday.
The 24-year-old swimmer will be competing in his third and last Paralympic Games.

What a great honour, and what a great guy.  I met Donovan for the first time back in Victoria.  He was a regular listener of our afternoon show and was always very good on the air.

I still hope he becomes an on-air host one day...after his swimming career is over!

Thanks so much B.J. and Peter!! Both gentleman who I've had the pleasure of knowing over the years. Wow, I still can't believe I got it!!
As for becoming an on-air host, I'm sure it'll happen somewhere down the line. hey, give me an op and some music, and I'll give you a show! Anyone up for the challenge??
Thanks to Michael and everyone at PsR for your support. GO CANADA!!

Donovan is too modest to mention it himself, he didn't say word one about his achievements when I spent a couple of hours with him this summer, but his record exposed in today's Times Colonist speaks for itself.
At 16 in Athens he settled for a bronze medal.  Four years later he came home witb two silvers and a bronze.

Retiring from competitive swimming at 24 may be to give his dream of a career in radio his full attention.  There are few neophytes anywhere who know the business as well as he does.  And noone has more enthusiasm for it!

Prospective employers, please take note.  He's a keeper!

Vancouver swimmer to carry Canada's flag
Donovan Tildesley chosen to lead team
at Paralympic opening ceremony
  
Gary Kingston

Thursday, September 04, 2008


CREDIT: Mike Ridewood/CPC
The Canadian Parlympic team flag bearer for the opening ceremony, Donovan Tildesley of Vancouver, sings "Oh Canada" with the flag draped over this shoulder at the Canadian flag raising ceremony at the Paralympic Village prior to the Paralympic Games in Beijing, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2008.

BEIJING - Blind swimmer Donovan Tildesley of Vancouver will be Canada's flag-bearer for Saturday's opening ceremony of the 2008 Paralympics.

The three-time Paralympian was emotional Thursday night when his name - in Chinese lettering - was unveiled on a scroll during a pep rally for the 144-member Canadian squad at the Athletes' Village.

He was selected by a committee of administrators, coaches and athletes. The other two finalists were boccia player Paul Gauthier of Surrey and Quebec wheelchair track athlete Chantal Petitclerc, who was the flag-bearer at the closing ceremony in Athens four years ago.

"I'm just speechless. Wow!" Tildesley said to the athletes after being guided to the front of the room by his father. "My heart hasn't been pumping since the last [training] set I did. Hey, Craig, can I have tomorrow morning off?"

Craig McCord is the swim team coach.

Tildesley, 24, won two silver medals and two bronze at Athens and is considered one of Canada's best medal threats in distance swimming.

"I'd like to thank my team, 20 other amazing Canadian swimmers. I wouldn't be here today without your support. I know as a swim team we are going to take names and kick ass in the pool this time around."

Tildesley holds the world record for the men's 800-metre and 1,500-metre freestyle in the S11 category.

He said he didn't think he'd be selected given that Gauthier and Petitclerc - competing in their fourth and fifth Paralympic Games, respectively - have been around longer than he has.

"It seems like their track records are much longer than mine and I kind of thought it would go to one of them. I'm not a highly emotional guy. I can usually keep my emotions in check, but for a moment there I was choking up. It's a great honour to be in this position."

Tildesley said carrying the flag in the opening ceremony is a chance to be a bit of a leader for a Canadian team that has targeted a top-five finish in the medal standings.

gkingston@vancouversun.com


http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/sports/story.html?id=a15bb599-09c2-42d7-abd2-1f0cef1fcf66

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congrats donovan you are a true class act.
cheers
Bryguy

Congratulations Donovan!

Tom

Congratulations !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I talked with Donovan on my radio show live from Beijing about his experience with the Paralympics and of course the honor of getting to be the flag bearer at the opening ceremonies tomorrow!

Good luck, Donovan!