From the day he began to go up and down the basement stairs of his home on his hands to the 1976 Montreal Olympics, his final competition, one could only say Keith Carter was born a natural gymnast. An individual who expected the best from himself, Carter dominated the Manitoba gymnastic scene from 1965 to 1976.

In 1972 he started to train at the University of Manitoba under Professor David Johns. That year, he finished third in the Canadian Competition and participated in his first international competition in a Canada vs Britain meet in London, England.

In 1973, he earned the privilege of being a Canadian Olympic Card Holder and followed it in 1974 by winning his first CIAU Championship. That same year he competed in the World Championships in Bulgaria, and in the China Tour, Russia-Canada Tour and China- Canada Tour.

He continued his impressive ways in 1975 by once again winning the CIAU Championship and competing in five International Competitions which included a Canada-Romania meet where he was first in the floor and vault competitions and a Hungary-Canada meet where he finished third overall. He topped off the year by being selected the University of Manitoba’s Male Athlete of the Year.

In 1976’s “Impossible Dream” became reality, when he participated in the Olympics in Montreal. He did not disappoint in his performance as he finished 18th out of 121 competitors and was a finalist on the floor. He was given the International Gymnastic Federation Pin, for accomplishing at least 9th or better in each event he entered. Natural ability along with his hard work and commitment has made him one of the finest gymnasts to come out of Manitoba.

The Keith Carter Award was established in 1983 to recognize outstanding achievement by a Manitoba male gymnast.