Ottawa, ON (August 10, 2016). Recently, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced the full Canadian Team for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, featuring 314 athletes from 37 sports. The 2016 edition of Team Canada also includes 98 coaches, representing 6 Canadian provinces and 7 international countries. Of the 98 coaches, 95 currently have a Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC) certification (the remaining 3 are in the process of obtaining one) and 1 in 5 are women. The largest contingent of coaches per sport comes from Athletics, with 13.
“The Coaching Association of Canada acknowledges the incredible dedication and expertise among the 98 coaches named to our country's Olympic Team. They represent the tireless efforts of all coaches in leading athlete-centred and coach-led performance excellence,” says Lorraine Lafrenière, Chief Executive Officer of the Coaching Association of Canada.
The COC also recognizes the paramount role that coaches play in the success of our athletes. “Canada's coaches continue to be an integral element of our country's sporting success. The coach delegation for Rio 2016 represents some of the best coaching talent in the world - our athletes are in excellent hands,” added Eric Myles, Executive Director of Sport at the Canadian Olympic Committee.
From Ben Titley, head coach of the Canadian Swimming Team in Rio: "The coach’s role at any level of competition is all about maximizing the performance of the athlete. The Olympics are no different. Treating the athlete as an individual, understanding and advising their journey through the whole experience so that they are physically and mentally prepared to perform to the best of their ability is key, along with a ‘whatever it takes’ attitude.”
Coach Titley sums up nicely the role coaches play from the sidelines. “Here in Rio, for example, we have an amazing group of five coaches looking after Canada’s 28 athletes. Conservatively, they’ve spent 10 hours a day poolside: motivating, training, consoling, laughing, crying, cheering, advising, learning, and leading. There hasn’t been a single day where the staff has hit their beds before 2 a.m., only to wake up the next morning and do it all over again. They don’t do it for themselves, but for the athletes they lead, and the country they love!”
Congratulations to all coaches nominated to Team Canada and thank you for everything you do to bring out the best in our athletes! #GoCoachGo!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL LIST OF TEAM CANADA COACHES
About the Coaching Association of Canada
The Coaching Association of Canada unites stakeholders and partners in its commitment to raising the skills and stature of coaches, and ultimately expanding their reach and influence. Through its programs, the CAC empowers coaches with knowledge and skills, promotes ethics, fosters positive attitudes, builds competence, and increases the credibility and recognition of coaches. For more information, follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.
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For more information, please contact:
Michel Hachey
Manager, Communications
Coaching Association of Canada
mhachey@coach.ca