Longtime Canadian national team coach, Olympian, and former CSCA Board member recognized for his outstanding contributions to swimming in Manitoba and across Canada.
WINNIPEG, MB – The Canadian Swimming Coaches Association (CSCA) congratulates Vlastimil “Vlastik” Cerny on his induction into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing more than three decades of exceptional contributions to swimming as a coach, mentor, and leader.
Cerny was inducted in the Builder Category during the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame's annual induction ceremony on October 29, 2026, in Winnipeg.
A former Canadian Olympian who represented Canada at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Cerny has dedicated much of his life to developing athletes and advancing high-performance swimming. Since becoming Head Coach of the University of Manitoba Bisons swimming program in 1993, he has established himself as one of Canada's most respected and accomplished coaches.
Throughout his career, Cerny has guided athletes to success at the provincial, national, and international levels, including Olympians Rhiannon Leier, Michelle Lischinsky, and Kelsey Wog. He has also served on Canada's national team coaching staff at multiple Olympic Games, World Championships, and other major international competitions.
His accomplishments have earned numerous coaching honours, including Swim Manitoba Coach of the Year recognition across four different decades and the 2020 U SPORTS Women's Swimming Coach of the Year award.
Building Opportunities for Manitoba Swimmers
Beyond his achievements on the international stage, Cerny has been instrumental in developing sustainable high-performance swimming opportunities within Manitoba.
Through his leadership in establishing the Manitoba High Performance Centre and championing the philosophy of Stay and Succeed, he has helped demonstrate that athletes can pursue international success while continuing to train and develop in their home province.
His approach has emphasized technical development, strong coaching relationships, collaboration between programs, and creating pathways that allow talented swimmers to achieve their potential.
For Cerny, coaching has always been about more than training athletes. His philosophy recognizes the importance of teaching, communication, continuous learning, and adapting to the individual needs of each swimmer.
A Strong Advocate for Canadian Coaches
Cerny's contributions extend well beyond the pool deck.
A longtime member of the CSCA Board of Directors, he served in leadership roles including Vice-President and helped strengthen the relationship between the CSCA and Swimming Canada.
Throughout his Board service, Cerny was a strong advocate for the coaching profession, emphasizing the importance of professional development, education, mentorship, and ensuring coaches have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting the sport.
His commitment to sharing knowledge and supporting fellow coaches continues to be an important part of his legacy.
A Well-Deserved Recognition
Cerny's induction into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame recognizes not only his accomplishments as an athlete and coach, but also his lasting influence on the development of swimming in Manitoba.
From representing Canada in the pool to guiding generations of athletes on the international stage, building high-performance programs, and advocating for coaches across the country, his career reflects an extraordinary commitment to the sport.
The Canadian Swimming Coaches Association proudly congratulates Vlastimil Cerny on this well-deserved honour and thanks him for his continued dedication to Canadian swimming and the coaching profession.
You can watch Vlastimil's induction video online here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDXvD73Csb8
Congratulations, Vlastik!