Christina McDonald, born in 1970, was coached by Leonid Grakovsky and Debbie Vidmar, first at Gemini and later at Winstonettes. She made her international debut at the prestigious International Japan Juniors, placing a respectable 7th all-around. Here she wowed the judges on beam, performing a full twisting back tuck. She was awarded a 9.650 on beam, one of the higher marks at this competition.
McDonald enjoyed a successful transition to the senior ranks, placing 4th AA in her first senior international competition, the 1984 Champions All. 1985 was a particularly strong year for McDonald. She placed second at Elite Canada, and third at Canadian Nationals. Internationally she placed 7th AA at the American Cup, and 5th AA - and first on bars! - at the Belgian Gym Masters.
McDonald led her team to a 9th place finish at the 1985 World Championships, accumulating the highest scores in both team compulsories (37.750) and optionals (37.975). McDonald advanced to the AA, where troubles on beam prevented her from rising further than 26th place.
McDonald continued to be a strong force on the Canadian National team for the next few years. In 1986 she placed second AA at the Canadian Nationals, and second on beam and floor. The following year she dropped to bronze place at Nationals, but won beam. McDonald competed at her second World Championships that year. In Rotterdam, at these 1987 World Championships, the Canadian women celebrated their best ever Worlds finish, 8th place (two years later the Canadian women improved on this performance, placing 6th as a team).
McDonald was named to Canada's 1988 Olympic team, and in Seoul placed 11th with the rest of her team. After the Olympics Christina began competing NCAA for the University of Florida. Unfortunately, in the opening meet of the 1989 season, against Georgia College and Towson State, she tore her ACL on her beam dismount. Christina had surgery and returned to the Gator lineup the following season, but chose not to compete vault.
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