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Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame

Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame

Amid an historic Olympic year, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) honoured some of its most distinguished Olympic athletes, coaches and builders at the 2010 Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala Dinner & Induction Ceremony in Montreal. An exemplary class of three athletes, three builders and one coach were inducted while three great leaders received the Canadian Olympic Order.

Returning to Montreal, the gala event unfolded at the Bell Centre, with a full artistic program featuring such famous Canadian acts as Sarah McLachlan, Tom Cochrane and Simple Plan. Weeks after the Vancouver Games came to a close, the COC's prestigious annual event also celebrated the country's 2010 Olympians. More than 160 Olympians and Paralympians participated in this gala event that kicked off with a huge parade in downtown Montreal ending with a celebration in Phillips Square.

All proceeds from the 2010 Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala Dinner & Induction Ceremony benefited the Canadian Olympic Team. The COC announced that the event generated $1.8 million for high performance athletes, through the Canadian Olympic Foundation.

2010 Inductees
The Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame recognizes those who have served the cause of the Olympic Movement with distinction. The 2010 inductees:

Caroline Brunet is a five-time Olympian in kayaking, and one of only 13 athletes to win medals at three successive Olympic Games in the same event. The Quebec native competed solely in the K-1 500 metres, collecting two silvers and a bronze medal between 1996 and 2004. She was a world champion 10 times over and amassed 21 World Championship medals throughout her career. Brunet led Team Canada into the 2000 Olympic Games as flag bearer.

Bruny Surin is a four-time Olympian and 1996 gold medallist in the men’s 4x100-metre relay. The 1996 relay team is one of Canada's most historic sport moments and he shares the gold medal with Glenroy Gilbert, Donovan Bailey, Robert Esmie and Carlton Chambers. Surin is also the 1993 and 1995 world indoor champion in 60 metres.

Susan Auch competed in speed skating at five Olympic Winter Games. Her first Olympic experience was in short track in 1988, where in Calgary it was a demonstration sport. She won bronze there in the 3,000-metre relay. Soon after, the Winnipeg native switched to long track and dominated with six national sprint titles and two Olympic silver medals in the 500 metres.

Walter Sieber is a world-renown expert in the organization of major sporting events. He currently sits on the board of both the COC and VANOC, and was director general of sports for the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games.

Peter Lougheed was Premier of Alberta from 1971 to 1985, during which time he was instrumental in developing the Bid for the XV Olympic Winter Games in 1988. Lougheed served as Honourary Chair of the Calgary Organizing Committee and in 2000 was awarded the Canadian Olympic Order.

Carol Anne Letheren, president of the (then) Canadian Olympic Association 1990-94 and Chief Executive Officer from 1995 until her death in 2001. That year, she was awarded the Canadian Olympic Order. Letheren was also an IOC Member in Canada from 1990 to the time of her passing.

Paul Poce, athletics coach, founded the distinguished Toronto Olympic Club, the city's oldest running club, in 1954. He is their current head coach and club administrator while also having served as national team head coach at several major Games including the Olympic, Pan American and Commonwealth Games.

Jack Poole, former VANOC chairman, will be honoured with the Canadian Olympic Order. Poole played an incredibly active role in the community and received many awards, including an appointment to the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia.

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell will be honoured with the Canadian Olympic Order. A tireless supporter of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Premier Campbell presented at the winning bid in 2003 and ensured, pre-Games, that Vancouver 2010 would having a lasting impact on communities and athletes through the Legacies Now program. Under his leadership, B.C. was the first province to contribute to Own the Podium.

John Furlong will be honoured with the Canadian Olympic Order. Furlong led the team that organized and staged the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Helping to contribute to a better, stronger Canada is one of Furlong’s most resolute personal goals, and he believed the Games could be a real nation builder. Prior to his appointment at VANOC in 2004, Furlong was the President and Chief Operating Officer for the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation.