07 Dec 2011
International Rowing: Thomas Keller Medal Awarded to Marnie McBean
Marnie McBean of Canada is to be the recipient of the 2002 Thomas Keller Medal for an "outstanding career in rowing" awarded by the International Rowing Federation (FISA).The medal has been established as the highest honour in the sport of rowing and is presented to recognise an exceptional rowing career as well as exemplary sportsmanship. Named after the late President of FISA, the first medal was first awarded to the great Norwegian oarsman Alf Hansen in 1990.Marnie McBean excelled in both rowing and sculling at international level and is the only woman to have ever won World Championships and Olympic medals in all boat classes available to women. She was member of the Canadian national rowing team from 1989 until 2000 when a back injury forced her to withdraw from the Sydney Olympic Games. During her rowing career she won a total of 12 World and Olympic medals – Olympic gold in the double and bronze in the quad in 1996, Olympic gold in the pair and the eight in 1992. World Championships gold in the pair and the eight in 1991, silver in the single in 1993, silver in the double in 1994, gold in the double and silver in quad in 1995 and silver in the four and bronze in the eight in 1998.A native of Toronto, McBean has a degree in kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario, as well as an honourary doctorate of law from Sir Wilfried Laurier University. She currently works as a motivational and team work speaker and remains committed to rowing through various fundraising programmes.The 18-carat gold Thomas Keller medal will be presented to McBean by Dominik Keller, son of the late Thomas Keller, on Saturday September 21, 2002 just before the last Saturday A-finals medal ceremony (approx. 14:20) at the 2002 World Rowing championships in Seville, Spain.McBean will be present at the FISA press conference today at 14:00 in the regatta course press centre.For additional information contact Kathleen Di Giacomo at FISA on +41.79.467.90.67 or by e-mail: kathleen.digiacomo@fisa.orgOr Jackie Skender at Rowing Canada Aviron on +1.519.694.4952