ITU President, Les McDonald inducted into Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame
March 6, 2007 --
Press Release: The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) has announced they will induct International Triathlon Union (ITU) president, Les McDonald, into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame during their annual gala dinner in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 21st. McDonald is being recognized as a “Builder” for his tireless work for the Olympic sport of Triathlon.
“This is indeed an honour, especially when you look at the great Canadian athletes and sport leaders who are also being inducted this year. The goals and ideals of the Olympic movement are at the centre of my years building the Olympic sport of Triathlon,” McDonald said upon hearing of the announcement.
McDonald is widely regarded as the driving force behind the event’s inclusion onto the Olympic programme in 1993 and an influential advocator for the sport of triathlon. The President of ITU since its formation in 1989 and President of Triathlon Canada from 1984 to 1996, McDonald has also made a great impact in the Canadian sport community by organizing some of the first regional and national triathlon championships in Canada.
When asked about his role in building Triathlon to an Olympic sport, McDonald responded, “It was about building a strong, passionate team around me, and then following the guidance that I received from good friends within the Olympic movement.”
McDonald will be recognized along with five other notable Canadian Olympians and builders for their contributions to the Olympic movement. McDonald is the first inductee from the sport of Triathlon.
Other inductees include Marc Gagnon of Montreal, a 3 times Olympian with 5 Olympic medals in speedskating, as well as Marianne Limpert, another 3 time Olympian who medaled in Atlanta. A complete list of inductees into the Canadian Olympic Hall of fame can be found at: HYPERLINK http://www.olympic.ca/EN/organization/news/2007/0306.shtml http://www.olympic.ca/EN/organization/news/2007/0306.shtml
The Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala and Induction Dinner is one of the highlights of the annual COC Congress weekend, to be held from April 19-21. The Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame recognizes those who have served the cause of the Olympic Movement with distinction.