Mary Stewart (swimmer)


Mary Beth Pauline Stewart, also known by her married name Mary McIlwaine, is a Canadian former competitive swimmer.

Swimming career

Stewart twice broke the world record in the women's 100-metre butterfly in the early 1960s. Stewart also competed in freestyle events as a member of the Canadian national team in major international championships.
As a 14-yard-old, she represented Canada in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, where she finished eighth in the women's 100-metre freestyle, and also competed in the preliminary hears of the women's 4x100-metre medley relay event. Two years later at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth, Western Australia, she won the gold medal in the women's 100-metre butterfly. At the 1963 Pan American Games in São Paulo, Brazil, Stewart enjoyed a four-medal performance, garnering silver medals for her second-place performances in the 100-metre freestyle, 100-metre butterfly, 4x100-metre freestyle relay, and the 4x100-metre medley relay.
Despite being of Canadian nationality she won the ASA National British Championships over 110 yards butterfly 1963.
In her final international appearance at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, she finished eighth in the 100-metre butterfly, and also competed as a member of the Canadian teams in the 4x100-metre freestyle and 4x100-metre medley relay events.

Personal life

She is the sister of Helen Stewart.