Ted Haggis

Ted Haggis served with the Canadian Navy during World War II and participated in the invasion of Normandy. After the conflict he returned to his hometown of London, Ontario and became active on the University of Western Ontario’s track club, specializing in short distances. He came in third in the Canadian 100 metre trials for the 1948 Summer Olympics, behind Jack Parry (who would end up missing the Games due to an injury) and Jim O’Brien, and was selected to represent his nation in the 100 and 200 m, as well as the 4x100 m relay. The Canadians finished fifth in the relay and, individually, Haggis was eliminated in the quarterfinals of both events. He was later selected to represent Canada at the 1950 British Empire Games, but was unable to make the trip.

Haggis remained athletically active into the early 1950s and was even signed by the Warrington Wolves Rugby League Football Club for a brief stint in 1950. He eventually turned to business, however, and used his engineering background to found Global Construction in London. He also renovated and ran a stage and theatre in London that would inspire his son Paul to embark on a career in film. Paul would later earn four Academy Award nominations – and two wins – for Million Dollar Baby and Crash, films he worked on as a screenwriter, producer, and, in the latter case, director.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.5 (1948); 200 – 21.9y (1951).