Mark Tewksbury Named Chef de Mission for Canadian Olympic Team at London 2012
Olympic Games
TORONTO, Aug. 5 /CNW/ - The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced today that two-time Olympian Mark Tewksbury has been appointed as Canada's Chef de Mission for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
"As an Olympic champion, a two-time Olympian and swimming icon, Mark Tewksbury is the ideal choice to lead Canada in 2012," said COC President Marcel Aubut. "His passion for sport and competition matched with his leadership and poise will serve as a huge asset for our Canadian Olympic Team in London."
A three-time Olympic medallist, Tewksbury, 42, swam to a gold medal in the 100-metre backstroke at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, and also collected bronze (1992) and silver (1988) medals in the men's 4x100-metre medley.
"I am truly honoured to have been selected as Canada's Chef de Mission for London 2012," said Tewksbury. "To lead our Canadian Olympic Team into London is an incredible privilege and honour. I look forward to working closely with the Canadian Olympic Committee over the next two years, providing optimum support for Canada's athletes and coaches as we strive to shine on the world stage."
Tewksbury, who was officially unveiled on CTV's Canada AM this morning, is a 21-time national champion in swimming and a seven-time world record holder. He also captured four gold medals through two Commonwealth Games appearances (1986 and 1990) and two silver medals at the 1991 World Aquatic Championships.
In 1992, Tewksbury won several awards, including the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's Athlete of the Year, the Lionel Conacher Award and the Norton H. Crow Award. He also received the Governor General Meritorious Service Medal in 1993.
Named as "Canada's Male Swimmer of the Year" on four occasions, Tewksbury has been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (2001), the Canadian Aquatic Hall of Fame (1999), Canada's Sports Hall of Fame (1995) and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame (1993).
Tewksbury retired from competition in 1992 but remained involved in the sport community through various initiatives with the COC and Canadian media organizations. The Calgary native also took on an increased role in the community, co-founding a professional development company and becoming a motivational speaker.
Having touched millions around the world as a speaker, author and television host, Tewksbury was the master of ceremonies for the Dalai Lama's appearances in Ottawa in 2007 and Calgary in 2009, and addressed the United Nations on human rights matters in 2008. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws for athletic accomplishment, ethical leadership and active humanitarianism from the University of Calgary (2010) and University of Western Ontario (2001).
As Chef de Mission, Tewksbury will take on the role of official representative and spokesperson of the Canadian Olympic Team (COT), and be a key member of the overall leadership team for Canada's participation in the Olympic Games. His leadership and Olympic experience are invaluable assets to the delegation. Tewksbury's knowlege of sport and the Olympic Movement will be of utmost importance in the interaction with stakeholders, both nationally and internationally.
Throughout the Games, he will support and promote the COT by helping to create an onsite environment conducive to achieving optimal performance, in line with the goal of placing among the top-12 nations in total medal count in London 2012.
At the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Canada was one of just six nations that succeeded in winning more medals than it had at previous Games, finishing tied for 13th with 18 medals. The COT surpassed its top-16 performance goal and matched its third-best output ever with three gold, nine silver and six bronze medals.
About the Canadian Olympic Committee
The Canadian Olympic Committee is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to sport excellence. It is responsible for all aspects of Canada's involvement in the Olympic Movement, including Canada's participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games and a wide variety of programs that promote the Olympic Movement in Canada through cultural and educational means. For news and information, visit the COC website at www.olympic.ca and find the team on both Facebook (Canadian Olympic Team) and Twitter (@CDN OlympicTeam).
Previous Chef de Mission's for Canada - Olympic Games
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Assistant Chef Assistant Chef
Year Chef de Mission de Mission de Mission
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2012 Mark Tewksbury TBD ---
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2008 Sylvie Bernier Peter Giles ---
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2004 David Bedford Nathalie Lambert ---
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2000 Diane Jones Konihowski Betty Dermer-Norris ---
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1996 Mike Chambers Sylvia Sweeney ---
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1992 Ken Read Sylvie Bigras ---
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1988 Carol Anne Letheren Yves Tetreault ---
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1984 John Lecky Bill Cox ---
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1980 Denis Withaker --- ---
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1976 Maurice Allan Patricia Smith Gilles Chattel
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1972 Maurice Allan Richard Pound Don Goodwin
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1968 E. Howard Radford Maurice Allan Bill Parish
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1964 E. Howard Radford J.H. Bowen Bill Parish
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1960 James Worrall --- ---
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1956
(AUS) James Worrall E. Howard Radford ---
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1956
(SWE) George Jacobsen --- ---
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1952 Kenneth P. Farmer James Worrall J.W. Davies
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*1948 Nelson C. Hart James Worrall J.W. Davies
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1936 Sam Manson --- ---
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1932 M.M. Robinson --- ---
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1928 Dr. A.S. Lamb T.R. Loudon ---
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1924 Dr. A.S. Lamb --- ---
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1920 Unknown --- ---
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1912 Unknown --- ---
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1908 J. Howard Crocker --- ---
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* NOTE: The titles "Chef de Mission" and "Assistant Chef de Mission"
appear for the first time in 1948. Prior to this, the positions were
known as "Team Manager/General Manager" and "Assistant/Associate
Manager". In 1948, there was a blending of the titles. Nelson Hart was
Chef de Mission while James Worrall was Assistant General Manager. J.W.
Davies was given the title of Assistant Chef de Mission but his duties
were confined to the men's track and field team.
For further information: Isabelle Hodge, Manager, Media Relations, Canadian Olympic Committee, Tel. (416) 324-4122, Email: [email protected]
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