Clifford Barry

Clifford Barry began his athletic career as a swimmer, but turned to water polo as his preferred pursuit during his youth. He made his major international début for Canada at the 1967 Pan American Games and appeared at two more editions in 1971 and 1975. He also competed at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, captaining the team in the latter edition, where Canada placed 16th and 9th respectively.

Barry had an even more prominent coaching career, which he began after retiring from active competition following the Montreal Games. His most notable student was four-time Olympic medalist Victor Davis, but he also coached with the national team from 1981 to 1991 and was named Canadian Swimming Coach of the Year three times (1982, 1984, and 1986). Additionally, he was inducted into the Ontario Aquatics, Swimming Canada, University of Concordia, and Western University Halls of Fame. He also continued to swim at the masters’ level through his 70s.