Melissa Bishop

Heading into Rio 2016, Melissa Bishop was riding high after a silver medal at the World Championships in Beijing, where she set a Canadian record in the 800m. She broke that record twice more leading into the Olympics, ultimately running a personal best of 1:57.01 in a tightly contested – and controversial – final, missing the podium by just 0.13 seconds. Despite the heartbreak, Melissa’s resilience shone through when she declared, “Heck no! I’m just getting started,” solidifying her place as a fan favourite and a symbol of determination.

Since then, Melissa has embraced motherhood while continuing her athletic journey, giving birth to her first child in 2018 and ultimately becoming a proud mom of three. Inspired by fellow Olympians who returned to sport after becoming parents, she’s committed to showing that motherhood and elite sport can go hand in hand. Melissa’s journey now resonates beyond the track, as she inspires women across Canada to pursue their passions while embracing the strength and joy of motherhood.