2025 Canada Games Profile

Leading up to the Canada Games, Swim Ontario is highlighting some of the members of our fantastic team!

Every sport has its rituals with, in various situations, dapper athletes strutting their way through a rink, field, gym or pool, headphones on and eyes up hustling by camera flashes.

Parading around and flaunting success in the form of trophies, medals and other items emblematic of success is a common scene in professional or even amateur sports events. Some claim it’s a grandiose tradition with lots of fun. There are others who say it’s fair game – especially when personal achievements and prosperity occur.

While everyone chooses celebration in their own way, there are athletes who will pass on the public jubilation. You’ll find swimmers in that category. A smile, a cheer and, well, that’s just about it.

It’s not that swimmers lack a sense of style. They let their performance attract attention. That describes 15-year-old Lauren Stokley, a classy, focussed and superb individual.

Stokley benefitted from private swim lessons and when the time was right, knew she was ready to enter the forum of competitive swimming. She signed up for a trial with the London Aquatic Club and immediately impressed the head coach.

She’s now marking her eighth year with the popular swim club from the Forest City – a nickname given to the city the Forest City because of its plethora of parks and trees.

At the time, it was a great move for the 15-year-old – who has a twin sister, Grier, with Lauren noticeable for her shorter hair style and height. Both girls learned that they were chosen to Ontario’s 34-member team competing at the 16th Canada Summer Games set for August 8 to 25 of this year in St. John’s, Nfld. Read Grier's profile story HERE.

“I thought we were in the running (to make the Ontario team), but it’s still a shock, kind of surreal”, said Lauren when informed both she and her sister had made the squad.

“When I was younger, I’d look at the scoreboard after a race and see where I had placed and check the time. Now, I have an appreciation that there is something to show for my effort, hard work and it comes down to performance.”

The make-up for the Ontario squad consists of 24 Olympic stream swimmers, six Paralympic swimmers and four competing in Special Olympics. The Canada Games is the largest amateur sports event in the country and considered to be a showcase of able-bodied athletes and athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Many of Canada’s former and future world-class swimmers are graduates of the Canada Games experience. In the case of the Stokley sisters, they also have accomplished something special. before jumping into the water at the Aquarena Fitness Complex on the campus of Memorial University.

Some see the Canada Games as an opportunity for bragging rights. Ontario’s objective, which goes beyond the traditional friendship, adventure and experience, is to remain a dominant province and win another overall title

Now, here’s a bit of history - and even a trivia item, as they are the only twins to have been entered in the swimming competition for Ontario in the same year at in the Canada Games. While it’s also the first time for both competing at the National showcase, there’s also a strong rivalry disguised by being teammates.

“We support each other and we have our own speciality events,” said Lauren, who is a former Ontario high school swim champ and will enter grade 11 later this year at Sir Frederick Banting Secondary. That just happens to be the same school attended by former Olympic swim champion Maggie McNeil.

“I have always set my goals and with lots of time in the water, dryland training and being focussed on what must get done. It’s times like this that really get me excited.”

Time for just a few numbers and highlights about Lauren who, when she gets time for relaxation, likes to pick up a brush and paint canvases - of the back of hockey jerseys. Apparently, she has quite a collection.

In Toronto last year, Lauren just missed out on a gold medal and took home a silver with a personal best time of 5:03.31 at the Canadian Nationals in the 400-metres individual medley. Prepping for the 2025 Canada Games, Lauren improved on her time by almost four seconds recording a finish in 4:59.50.

In the 200-metres breaststroke, another personal best (but finished third with a bronze) of 2:40.65 There’s chatter about her swimming that 200-metres breaststroke in Newfoundland – and that could possibly lead to a medal finish.

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.