Calgary man swims 300,000 laps in downtown pool

ABOVE: Calgarian Jim Gray has completed quite the task, swimming 300,000 laps at a downtown pool. Sarah Offin reports.

CALGARY – A well-known Calgary philanthropist hosted a giant pool party in downtown Calgary on Friday in celebration of a feat 23 years in the making.

Jim Gray has been swimming laps in the Eau Claire YMCA every morning for over two decades, in an attempt to travel the length of Canada.

After over 300,000 laps in the downtown pool, Gray finally completed his task around 7:30 a.m. on Friday.

In celebration of their comrade’s tremendous accomplishment, 25 local executives jumped into the pool as Gray completed his final lap.

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A special presentation was held in Gray’s honour following the conclusion of his swim, with remarks from Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Premier Jim Prentice, as well as Man in Motion Rick Hanson.

“Jim is the kind of guy that typically is in the background” said Hanson. “He’s pushing everybody else into the limelight so that they can work their magic. And Jim, thank you so much for finally allowing us to be able to put you in the forefront, to be able to inspire the rest of us.”

“You’re an incredible champion.”

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“Jim Gray has always been a great inspiration to me,” said Prentice. “Jim has always thought of the big picture in everything that he’s done.”