Stephanie Horner

Stephanie Horner, born on March 19, 1989, in Bathurst, New Brunswick, began her swimming journey at age nine, quickly distinguishing herself in the sport. Her early career saw her achieve significant milestones, including winning four medals at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, with a silver in the 200m freestyle and a bronze in the 200m IM. She also secured silver medals in the 4x200m freestyle and 4x100m medley relays. Horner made her Olympic debut at the Beijing 2008 Games, competing in four events and setting a national record in the 200m freestyle and the 4x200m freestyle relay. She continued her Olympic trajectory at London 2012, competing in the 400m individual medley, showcasing her versatility across different events. During her time at the University of Victoria, where she pursued a Bachelor of Commerce, she continued to compete at a high level. In 2011, she won the 200-meter butterfly and the 400 Individual Medley at the Canadian Inter-University Sports Nationals, along with a 4×100 freestyle relay. Horner was also named team captain for the 2013 Summer Universiade, where she reached the final of the 200m butterfly.

A significant turning point in Horner’s career occurred in 2014 when she transitioned to open water swimming. This strategic shift led her to her third Olympic Games appearance at Rio 2016, where she competed in the 10km open water marathon. Her performance at the 2015 Summer Universiade, where she finished 10th in the 10km race, underscored her adaptation to this new discipline. In 2013, Horner was appointed Chair of Swimming Canada’s Athletes’ Council, taking on a leadership role within the national swimming community. Her dedication and achievements in open water swimming were recognized in 2018 when she was named Swimming Canada’s Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year, following her 8th place finish in the 10km race at the Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo. She also completed the FINA/HOSA 10K Marathon Swimming World Cup between 2015-2018 and won the 10K swim event at the Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean in 2016, demonstrating her prowess in the evolving landscape of competitive swimming.

Horner’s career highlights include participation in multiple FINA World Championships, such as placing 17th in the 400m IM at the 2011 championships and qualifying for the 2017 World Aquatics Championships. Her consistent performance at the highest levels of competitive swimming, combined with her academic pursuits and leadership roles, reflects a comprehensive and impactful career in sports. Her journey from pool events to open water showcases an athlete committed to continuous growth and adaptation within the demanding world of professional swimming.