Vladeta Ristić

Vladeta “Chris” Ristić was born 1922 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. After the Second World War broke out, young Vladeta answered the call to join the Partisan Army as a medic, the Yugoslav communist led resistance to the Axis. After the war, he was selected to row on the Yugoslav national team, and competed in a coxed pair at the 1948 Olympics in London. In 1950 he competed in a straight four at the European Rowing Championships in Milano, and from there, with his three other crew members, he defected and came to Canada in 1951 at the age of 28 with only the possessions he could carry.

Ristić was able to build a new life in Canada thanks in part to the University of Toronto’s generous post-war program for ex-servicemen and new Canadians, which allowed him to re-qualify as a professional engineer in Ontario. Ristić married and had three daughters. He stayed a keen sportsman throughout his life, learning to ski, waterski and play tennis in his newly adopted country. He could be spotted jogging and exercising around his neighbourhood long before it was popular. Ristić died in 1971 at age 49.