Canada’s 1960 men’s eight in Vancouver lead up

Fifty years ago Tom Biln coxed his country’s eight to a silver medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. This achievement is being honoured as the Olympic torch moves closer to the start of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada.

Biln will carry the torch on 24 January, less than three weeks out from the start of the Games. “To be chosen to carry the torch was very emotional for me,” says 70-year-old Biln who found out that he had been selected just last month. “After 50 years (since Rome) it’s amazing to be able to do it.”

Remembering back to Rome, Biln says the highlight of those Olympics for him was their team being the only Olympic medal for Canada. “I think the other Canadian team members were relieved that someone had won something,” says Biln. “There was a huge reception for us when we got home.”

Biln, who started coxing at the University of British Columbia in 1958, describes a very different rowing environment than elite rowing today. There was no national team and his university crew secured their spot in the Olympics by winning the Canadian National Championships.

Biln sees the biggest change since he rowed as being in the boats. “There have been lots of improvements in the materials and the way they’re built,” says Biln. But some things remain the same. “The rowing stroke is the same,” says Biln who also describes his favourite call as a coxswain being just like today. “We had a ‘big 10’ – all out rowing for 10 strokes.”

The 1960 crew still has regular reunions which include rowing outings. “The last reunion was two years ago when the UBC boathouse opened,” says Biln. “Five of us from the crew were there (two have passed away). We did 2000m, although not very fast. We’re all getting older, but we do alright.”

Biln now lives in Castlegar, a small British Columbian town, where there is no rowing so his involvement in the sport has been limited. But Biln has stayed involved through some coaching and he helped start a rowing club in the nearby town of Nelson.

The Olympic torch relay, leading up to the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics, began its journey on 30 October 2009 and has already included the 2008 Olympic Champion men’s eight as well as their coach, Mike Spracklen, and a group of top junior rowers. The Winter Olympics start 12 February in Vancouver.

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