Name: Annamay Pierse 
Sport: Swimming
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Nickname: Anners
Favorite Sport Memory: Breaking the World Record in the 200 breaststroke in front of a hometown crowd in Toronto of 2009. How you got involved in your sport: I got involved in swimming mostly because I was that bounce off the wall kid who needed somewhere positive to focus my energy. I always loved the water and was a bit of a water baby, when I was 6 years old and at swimming lessons the parent of a child who was in the swim club went up to my mom and told her that I looked like I had a swimmers body and she should really think about putting me in the club. 22 years later I’m still here, and loving every moment.
The moment you knew you wanted to represent Canada: I think the moment that I wanted to represent Canada was almost the same moment that I started swimming. From my very first year in a competitive swim club my goal was to go to the Olympics and swim for Canada. I have a school project from when I was in grade 2 and on the very first page of my hopes and dreams it says that I want to swim in the Olympics for Canada and win a gold medal.
Favorite Quote: 
Dream as though you will live forever, live as though you will die tomorrow. – James Dean
CAN Fund Testimonial: CAN Fund has not only supported me financially towards my goal of GOLD in 2012, but they have brought me into their CAN Fund family and supported me in ways that I will never be able to forget. It was with the help of my CAN Fund family that I was able to break four World Records in the 2009 year, and come 2nd at the 2009 World Championships in Rome.
Best Result:
– 2nd 200 Breaststroke, 5th 50 & 100 Breaststroke 2009 World Championships Rome
– 6th 200 Breaststroke 2008 Olympic Games
Fun Facts: I am obsessed with all things to do with fashion, and have an extreme love for shoes. When I retire I am going to work in the fashion industry. I have 5 stars tattooed on my foot for the 5 girls in my family who all swim, along with the word Believe, because you always need to believe in yourself if you want to be the best. My mom will hate this but a funny talent—I can burp the alphabet.
Speaking Topics:
- Never giving up – The Journey to Success
