Lori Melien

Lori Melien

Canada's Lori Melien competing in the swimming event at the 1988 Olympic games in Seoul. (CP PHOTO/ COA/ Cromby McNeil) Lori Melien du Canada participe aux Jeux olympiques de Séoul de 1988 en natation. (PC Photo/AOC)

Quick Facts

Category: Swimmer
Name: Lori Melien
Club: Ajax Aquatic Club
Coach(es):Paul Meronen

HIGHLIGHTS

1988 Olympic Games, Seoul, South Korea, Bronze 4x100m Medley Relay

BIOGRAPHY

Olympian Lori Melien’s introduction to the swimming scene began at the age of 9, with the COBRA swim club. With a family relocation, she joined the Ajax Aquatic Club where she moved up the ranks to the Youth National team at the age of 12 then onto the Senior National team at the age of 13.

As a backstroke specialist, Lori’s career included the Pan Pacific Championships (85/87/89), World Championships (86), Olympic Games (88), Commonwealth Games (90), World Universiade Games (93). It was at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea where she won a bronze medal as a member of the 4x100m medley relay.

Lori competed for the University of Calgary Varsity team for 5 years, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation.

Upon retirement from in the pool, she decided to take up coaching while also working in her field of study and begin a family. She coached both summer and winter club swimming in Calgary for 3 years (UCSC), while working for the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre and as a personal aide for a child with Autism.

She then moved south to coach with the LA Swim Club and University of Lethbridge Pronghorn Swim Team for 5 years. The tail end of her coaching career included a year with Island Swimming in Victoria and a year with the Ravens of Carleton Swimming in Ottawa, where 2 of her 3 daughters are hitting the pool themselves!