Canada Games Team Feature

Leading up to the 2022 Canada Games, we are sharing stories about some of the people representing Team Ontario in the pool this summer

It has a nice ring to it - Ambassador Alexandar (Alex) Lackovic.

There are times in life that are not to be forgotten – and this is one of them for the young man from Southwestern Ontario.

Already having a banner year in the pool with one personal best performance after another, the 17-year-old is continuing a magical time in his ambition, and objective, of one day competing for Canada on the international circuit. In other words, the World Championship and Olympics.

But that is still a bit off. Now, he has a new title to add to his personal resume.

It’s one that acknowledges personal traits and has nothing to do with performance in the water nor does it automatically guarantee him a trip to the medal podium at the 2022 Canada Games aquatic competition taking place in St. Catharines.

Some would see it as an award of distinction. It certainly will be one he remembers for the rest of his life.

Humble, curious, and polite, his leadership skills caught the attention of others. So much so, that Lackovic was selected as the Ambassador of Ontario’s 35-member swim team, which could see him as a flag bearer or dealing with additional duties.

While it’s not a high-ranking political appointment or one that goes with celebrity or dignitary status, it is an awareness of his ability to build relationships, as well as inspire, motivate, and raise team morale.

It’s become quite noticeable in the lead-up to this showcase of young and talented athletes from across the country.

The tall and lanky swimmer, 6-foot-2 to be exact and a prodigy of the Windsor Aquatic Club, Lackovic is affiliated with a swim organization that has celebrated numerous amazing accomplishments. He may very well be the next one.

Cautious and optimistic, Lackovic considers himself now to be an average swimmer. That may be his interpretation, but his times in the pool put him in the top five, for his age class, in the country. That’s in the sprint backstroke and freestyle competitions.

Swim Ontario Team Manager Karen Wilson nominated him for the Ambassador title based on her view of his personality and leadership.

“I only met him last July, and I liked his personality, enthusiasm and confidence,” said Wilson.

So, how did Lackovic react when informed by Wilson that coaches were unanimous in his selection.

“This is quite an honour and something that I sincerely appreciate,” said Lackovic, who was born in Canada and his parents are of Serbian and Macedonian descent. “When I was informed by my coach Mike McWha that I would be on the Ontario team competing (at the Canada Games), I saw that as a big deal for me. This is something very special and rewarding.”

Lackovic enters the national event with a few things in mind.

“It’ll be about meeting new people, benefitting from a great experience, representing Ontario and, of course, improving my times,” said Lackovic, who is aware of academic and athletic scholarships and is planning to study computer sciences. “The plan is a great education and to improve my times in the water.”

He’s contemplating several university options in Canada and the United States.

While Lackovic talks about a career that he hopes will one day improve technology and make the world a better place, he recalls the initiation to the world of swimming.

“My parents had wanted me to swim, and I just followed my older sister who is also a very good swimmer,” said Lackovic, a former multi-sport athlete at Vincent Massey Secondary School. “Basketball and soccer were big, but swimming has taken over and I have a great coach and in a very good club.”

Confidence means a great deal to him - even moreso after an injury while bicycling last year, resulted in a broken elbow.

“I was worried that I might not be able to swim as well and missed several weeks while it healed,” he said. “One step at a time, I found ways to improve, get stronger and focussed on what was needed to improve my times.”

Lackovic has also had a taste of coaching. In his case, it was when he was in grade 9 and volunteered with Special Olympics athletes at the LaSalle/Windsor Spirit Sports Club meet which provides athletic opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities.

Cognizant of Lackovic’s leadership skills is Ontario’s head swim coach, Cathy Pardy.

“Alex brings a lot of positive energy to the team in both the pool and on deck,” said Pardy, who coaches at the Region of Waterloo Swim Club and Wilfrid Laurier University. “He has been quick to engage with coaches. During practice, he can be heard encouraging his teammates.”

Not just a cheerleader, Lackovic has several personal best times at the Eastern Canadian Championships earlier this year in Pointe-Claire, Que. In St. Catharines, he is hoping to clock in better than the 27.12 seconds in the 50 metres backstroke and 59.19 seconds in the 100 metres. His target in the 50 metres freestyle is to improve on 24.48 seconds and 53.64 in the 100 metres.

As a 14-year-old, Lackovic did compete at the 2019 International Children’s Games in Ufa, Russia. He made the finals in each of the 50 and 100-metre backstroke races but was also at a disadvantage as he was swimming against several older athletes.

The International Children's Games and Cultural Festival has become the world's largest international multi-sport youth games and is a recognized member of the International Olympic Committee.

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 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.