Debbie Brill is considered the finest women high jumper ever to compete for Canada and is the originator of the now common backward style of jumping, then aptly described as the ‘Brill Bend.’ Brill represented Canada at three Olympics Games, two world championships, four Commonwealth Games and three Pan American Games.

During her career, she won more than 65 national and international medals, including gold at the worlds, Pan Ams and Commonwealth Games. Brill became the first North American woman to jump six feet and was named B.C.’s athlete of the decade in 1980. She later set an indoor world high jump record of 1.99 metres. Brill was named an officer of the order of Canada in 1983.

The Burnaby resident still competes at the master level and currently holds five age-class world indoor and outdoor records.