After spending his junior water polo career in his home province of British Columbia, Gordon Van Tol attended Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario to earn his bachelor’s in commerce and, while there, played on the school’s team. In addition, from 1980 through 1984, he was a member of the Canadian men’s national squad. During this time he participated at the 1982 World Championships (14th), the 1983 World University (6th) and Pan Am Games (bronze medal), and the 1984 Summer Olympics (10th), but retired from international competition immediately thereafter. He continued to play nationally, however, with the Ottawa Titans Water Polo Club, and competed at the 1987 Canada Senior Men’s A Championship, finishing fourth. Afterwards he competed in master’s-level swimming tournaments from the Nepean Masters Swim Club until his sudden death in January 2010, and helped set an Ontario provincial record in the long-course 4x200m freestyle relay in the 160-199 (combined) age category in February 2005. While a university student, he also played hockey, basketball, and soccer and, outside of athletics, he later worked with Assantes Wealth Management (a financial advising agency) and as a motivational speaker.
Canada