SSHoF logoCraig Mackay

Athlete (1986)

Speed Skating

Craig MackayCraig joined the Saskatoon Speed Skating club in 1943, and one year later, won city championships, then went on to capture provincial titles. For the next 15 years, he compiled an impressive list of city, provincial and Canadian records that eventually resulted in being chosen to several Canadian Olympic teams.

In 1947, Craig won his first Canadian medal capturing the Senior Men's three-mile event. His outstanding showing in the Canadian championship lead to his being selected to represent Canada in the 1948 Olympics at St. Moritz. He placed 14th in the 5000 metre and 13th in the 10,000 metre. In the world Championships in Sweden, Mackay placed seventh in the 500 metres and ninth in the 1500 metres.

Craig went to the 1952 Olympics in Oslo placing 15th in the 500, 16th in the 1500, 23rd in the 5000 metre and 24th in the 10,000. He was named as an alternate for the 1956 and 1960 Olympics. He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1973.

** Deceased

" (Speed skater) Craig Mackay will go into competition (in the 1948 Olympics) sporting a black set of tights that match him for age. The tights are 20 years old, being a gift to (coach) Clarence Downey in 1928. " -- Saskatoon StarPhoenix sports writer Cam McKenzie