University of Toronto Athletics

A member of three CIAU women’s swimming championship teams, Karin Helmstaedt made a splash both at the intercollegiate and international levels during her time at the University of Toronto.

Karin first hit the international stage at the FISU World University Games in 1985. A year later, she competed at the Commonwealth Games prior to becoming a finalist in the 200m individual medley (IM) at the 1986 World Aquatics Championships.

That same year, Karin led the Varsity Blues at the CIAU championships with two gold and three silver medals setting a CIAU record at the intercollegiate national championships.

Her success did not stop there. In 1987, Karin won CIAU national titles in both the 200m and 400m IM as well as three silver medals on her way to leading U of T to what would be the first of three consecutive national team titles. Internationally, Karin’s success skyrocketed after capturing bronze medals in the 200m and 400m IM at the 1987 Pan American Games.

Karin excelled at the CIAU national championships in 1988, setting a record in the 200m IM before winning her second national title in the 400m IM. She rounded out her career in 1989 capturing one CIAU relay gold medal and two individual bronze medals. Later that year, she garnered gold as a member of Canada’s 4x200m freestyle relay team at the French national championships.

After graduation, Karin went on to become a journalist and reported on major swimming events including the 1994 and 1998 World Aquatic Championships, 1995 Pan Pacific championships and the 1996 Olympic Games.