row2k news Marnie McBean and Sport Technical Expert Roger Archambault Join Canadian Olympic Committee
October 17, 2006 RCA
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced today that three-time Olympic rowing gold medallist Marnie McBean and biathlon sport technical expert Roger Archambault will each be joining the organization in the new role of Manager, Olympic Preparation.
Reporting to Derek Covington, the COC's Director, Olympic Preparation, McBean and Archambault will be tasked with working closely with the National Sport Federations to develop and implement customized Olympic Podium Performance Preparation programs for both the Olympic and Olympic Winter Games. McBean will work out of the COC's Toronto office while Archambault will be based in Ottawa. Both are set to begin their duties this month. "The hiring of one of Canada's most decorated Olympians and one of Canada's top sport technical specialists is another step towards the Canadian Olympic Committee becoming a true performance partner to our National Sport Federations," said Caroline Assalian COC Executive Director, Olympic Preparation and Games. "Both Marnie and Roger are proven experts in their respective fields and will be instrumental in helping prepare Canada's athletes, coaches and National Sport Federations for podium success at upcoming Olympic Games." The owner of 12 career Olympic and World Championship medals and 23 World Cup victories, McBean is North America's most successful rower. As one of only two Canadian summer Olympians to win three gold medals at the Olympic Games, McBean and long-time partner Kathleen Heddle were instrumental in transforming Canada into a dominant rowing nation from 1991-2000. The former Director of Corporate and Athlete Programs at Olympic Spirit Toronto, McBean has developed an extensive background in athlete mentoring which includes serving as an Athlete Liaison Officer and Peer Performance Mentor with the Canadian team at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games; delivering performance presentations at several Olympic training camps, COC Olympic Orientation meetings and COC Excellence Series workshops; and acting as a mentor with the Team Visa program. "I found the role I had with the 2006 Canadian Olympic team to be extremely rewarding," said McBean. "Since my retirement from international sport six years ago, I have had the privilege of meeting and working with many incredible people through corporate mentoring, the Canadian rowing team and the Canadian Olympic Committee's Olympic Preparation programs. I'm very excited about joining the staff of the COC in their Olympic Preparation and Games department where I can continue to expand on the mentoring role that I've had with athletes as they prepare to perform at the Olympic Games." Among her numerous honours, McBean was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. Five years later, she was awarded the Thomas Keller Medal by FISA, the International Rowing Federation, for her outstanding career in international rowing. "Few people in this country have the impact on young athletes that Marnie has," said Chris Rudge, COC Chief Executive Officer. "Her ability to help them believe that they can achieve their maximum potential is profound. This is an important step for high-performance sport in Canada." Archambault, a Master Course Conductor and Learning Facilitator who is a Level 5 National Coaching Certification Program coach, has worked in various senior level positions with Biathlon Canada for nearly 15 years. As a member of Biathlon Canada, Archambault has served as both the organization's Senior National Team Coach & National Training Director and High-Performance (Technical) Director. In his most recent role as High-Performance (Technical) Director, Archambault managed the organization's high-performance and technical divisions while serving as an advisor for the Biathlon Canada Board of Directors, staff, national team, COC and Sport Canada. He also served as the team leader for all major international competitions including the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. "I'm tremendously excited about being given the opportunity to work with the Canadian Olympic Committee in the role of Manager of Olympic Preparation," said Archambault, who is fluently bilingual. "In this role, I'm looking forward to building on the Canadian Olympic Committee's ongoing efforts to achieve its performance goals by working closely with the National Sport Federations in order to better assist these organizations with their Olympic Preparation initiatives." As one of Biathlon Canada's Senior National Team Coaches, Archambault helped guide Canada's biathlon athletes at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano. He is a two-time recipient of Biathlon Canada's National Coach of the Year award and was a finalist for the 1993 Canadian Coach of the Year honours. The Canadian Olympic Committee is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to sport excellence. It is responsible for all aspects of Canada's involvement in the Olympic movement, including Canada's participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games and a wide variety of programs that promote the Olympic Movement in Canada through cultural and educational means. For more information, see the COC website: www.olympic.ca.
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