Canada's Head Rowing Coach Joins Olympic Committee

Canada’s head rowing coach Brian Richardson is leaving Rowing Canada to join the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) as the director of international performance.

The newly created position will see Richardson providing technical support to Canadian sports federations, assisting in professional coaching and looking at Canada’s performance preparation. “I have a great appreciation for what Canada is doing well, and what we can build on to get to that next level of podium success,” said Richardson.

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Richardson, 57, has had two stints as Canada’s head rowing coach – from 1993 – 1996 and again between 2001 and 2004. During these periods his teams won 11 Olympic and World Championship medals, five of them gold. In between Richardson coached for Rowing Australia and was head coach for the Australian team at the 2000 Olympic Games. As a head coach Richardson has seen his teams win a total of over 60 World Championship and Olympic medals.

Richardson also has experience as an athlete. He rowed in the Aussie men’s eight at the 1976 and 1980 Olympic Games. He was also a member of the Australian “America’s Cup” sailing crew that broke the United States dominance when the Australia Two crew won in 1983.

President of Rowing Canada Aviron John Carmichael praised Richardson for his work. “I am delighted he will play such an integral role with the Canadian Olympic Committee and the future of sport in Canada,” said Carmichael in today’s Rowing Canada press release.

“It was Brian’s leadership that set the foundation for today’s National Team crews that have won many World Championship, World Cup and Olympic medals. The foundation he has laid will allow our preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics to continue unhindered.”

Rowing Canada Aviron is currently making plans for the build-up to the Beijing Olympic Games. National men’s coach, Mike Spracklen, will continue to run the Victoria, British Columbia Training Centre, while National women’s coach, Al Morrow, continues to oversee the London, Ontario Training Centre.  

The association is looking for a new high-performance director.

For more information on COC visit their web site: www.olympic.ca

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