Joyce Sadowick-Yakubowich

Joyce Sadowick-Yakubowich was one of the best Canadian sprinters of the 1970s and won medals at both the Pan American Games and the British Commonwealth Games. Yakubowich was 16-years-old when she joined the high school relay team. Only four months later she was unexpectedly chosen as a last-minute addition to Canada’s track and field team for the 1970 British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. As a replacement for an injured runner in the 4 x 100 metres relay, she was part of the quartet that went on to win bronze at the Games. The following year she ran in the 400 metres at the Pan American Games where she finished sixth.

In 1972 Yakubowich became the Canadian champion in both the 200 and 400 metres, earning her a place at the 1972 München Olympics. Despite her recent good form, however, she failed to progress from the heats in the 400 metres in München. Her best year was 1975, which started with her winning another national title in the 200 metres along with two gold medals at the Pan American Games in Mexico City. She won gold in the 400 metres and in the 4 x 400 metres relay, along with compatriots Marg McGowen, Rachelle Campbell, and Joanne McTaggart. The quartet of Yakubowich, McTaggart, Marjorie Bailey, and Patty Loverock also won bronze in the 4 x 100 metres at the 1975 Games. A year later Yakubowich ran in the 400 metres and the 4 x 400 metres relay at the 1976 Montréal Olympics, finishing eighth in the latter. She retired from the sport in 1979 and was inducted into the Simon Fraser Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987.

Personal Best: 400 – 51.62 (1975).