Cindy Crapper was an Olympic-calibre track and field athlete who represented Canada on the world stage. Competing in the throwing events, she excelled as a scholarship athlete at the University of Kentucky.

Crapper was born on January 25, 1962 in Windsor.

As a student at Sandwich Secondary School, Crapper won several OFSAA gold medals in javelin, discus, and shot put. In her youth, she took home further golds at the 1978 and ’81 Junior Canadian Championships, ’80 Pan-Am Trials, and ’81 Canada Summer Games.

In 1980, Crapper accepted a track and field scholarship to the University of Kentucky. She was selected to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Track and Field All-Conference Team during all four years in which she competed for the Wildcats. Notably, she attained All-American status in the shot put in 1981, ’82, and ’83. In 1985, she was the SEC’s individual shot put champion.

By 1985, Crapper held University of Kentucky records in the shot put, discus, and javelin. She was named the best all-around thrower in the United States by the Track and Field News. Crapper was memorably presented with the University of Kentucky Leadership Award by the legendary American Olympian Wilma Rudolph.

Crapper also won gold at the 1984 Canadian Olympic Trials. Unfortunately, the Canadian Olympic Association opted not to send a full contingent to the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Crapper made the Olympic standard but was not allowed to compete.

Crapper did represent Canada at several international competitions. She won medals at full meets in France, England, Japan, and Italy.