Leslie Cliff

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameLeslie•Cliff (-Tindle)
Used nameLeslie•Cliff
Born11 March 1955 in Vancouver, British Columbia (CAN)
Measurements173 cm / 60 kg
AffiliationsCrescent Beach Swimming Club, Crescent Beach (USA) / Pacific Dolphins, Vancouver (CAN)
NOC Canada
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Leslie Cliff first swam for Canada at the 1970 Commonwealth Games. Although she did not reach the podium, she caused a sensation on the international scene just one year later when, at the Pan American Games, she took home gold in the in the 200 and 400 metre individual medleys, as well as the 4x100 medley relay, and silver in the 100 metre butterfly and the 4x100 metre freestyle relay.

Thus, even before she was selected for the 1972 Summer Olympics, she had been made an Officer of the Order of Canada for her swimming achievements. She did not rest on her laurels, however, and won silver in the 400 m individual medley at the Summer Games, behind Gail Neall of Australia. She was also fifth in the 200 m individual medley, seventh in the 4x100 m freestyle and medley relays, and eighth in the 200 m backstroke, in addition to being eliminated in the opening round of the 100 m butterfly.

Cliff’s final major international tournament was the 1974 Commonwealth Games, where she earned the 200 and 400 m individual medley crowns. She retired from active competition the following year, having captured 33 national titles, and graduated from Arizona State University in 1979. She worked as a stockbroker and portfolio manager before founding her own company in Vancouver, Genus Capital Management. She has been made a member of the British Columbia Sports (1978), Canada’s Sports (1984), and Canadian Olympic (1997) Halls of Fame.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1972 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) CAN Leslie Cliff
4 × 100 metres Freestyle Relay, Women (Olympic) Canada 7
200 metres Backstroke, Women (Olympic) 8
100 metres Butterfly, Women (Olympic) 23
200 metres Individual Medley, Women (Olympic) 5
400 metres Individual Medley, Women (Olympic) 2 Silver
4 × 100 metres Medley Relay, Women (Olympic) Canada 7

Special Notes