Hello! My name is Tessa Cieplucha, I am 23 years old and I am a Canadian Olympian, National Team member, Pan-American, and World Champion in the sport of swimming. I have been named on the Canadian National team for the past 4 years, and I specialize in mid-distance and the Individual Medley events.

I have been a competitive swimmer for most of my life, following in my older sister’s footsteps. While growing up in a small town in 2007 I joined the local swim team without any idea where this sport might take me. I was always the underdog just finishing off the podium. My swimming success developed later than a lot of my peers, so I was often overlooked, I was a late bloomer and in 2014 I took my first National Title. Fast forward 8 years, I have since won 3 Gold medals at elite level International World-Class competitions.

Participating in a national sport with such depth, Canadian swimming has taught me to fight for what I am passionate about. Over the years Canadian swimmers have always shown grit and determination at events like the Olympics and other World-Class competitions, consistently putting people on the podium. I wanted to get there.

In 2016, I placed 4th at the Rio Olympic Trials in the 400 Individual Medley, just a few spots away from making the Olympic Team. Following finals, after being so close to the top finishers, I told myself, “I am making 2020.” Knowing I had the drive and focus I knew I had a lot of work to do, especially gaining experience and a reputation on the National and International level. So many in my sport didn’t know who I was, or even how to pronounce my last name. (Ch-ploo-ha). My mission was to change that and to step on upon a podium at an international competition! Five more years of dedication, hard work, and sacrifices, my name was included on the 2020 Canadian Tokyo Olympic Team Roster and within the same year I stood at the top of the podium at the 2021 Short Course World Championships in Abu Dhabi, UAE as a World Champion in the 400 IM.

During my collegiate career I attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, on an athletic scholarship, and competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and qualified for NCAA Division 1 Championships each of my four years. Being a student athlete at a University with a world renowned athletic program that had developed over 180 Olympians over the years, to me was a crucial part of building my confidence and experience within sport. In my senior year, I earned two SEC titles, and was a key member of the historic first-ever Women’s SEC 2020 Team Title for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols.

As my collegiate career is behind me, I am now a professional athlete in the International Swimming League (ISL) as a member of the Toronto Titans franchise in 2020. I had breakout wins against World and Olympic Champions during my first two seasons. Travelling the world is something I love to do, and swimming has given me that wonderful opportunity. I thrive on the challenge of managing my performance under physical and mental stress while competing in World-Class and International competitions. The more I race and compete, the more I learn about myself.

Cieplucha outside of the water

Outside of the water, I am also very passionate and conscientious about living and advocating healthy sustainable lifestyles. I graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2021, with Geology & Environmental Science BSc, and Geography BA degrees. I strive to continually grow and develop myself, at the same time bettering the planet and the people closest to me. Life in sport has done nothing but strengthen my goal setting, time management, and communication skills, and I habitually use that in my day-to-day life.