Rowing Canada Aviron is saddened to announce that Bent Jensen, Olympic lightweight men's coach, passed away yesterday in his native Denmark.
Jensen came to Canada to coach at the National level in early 2006 and led his lightweight four to a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. His coaching resume spanned more than 30 years and included the Danish lightweight four's Olympic gold (1996), silver (2000) and gold again (2004). In 1998, he was named FISA (World Rowing Federation) Coach of the Year.
Jensen was also known for putting his athletes first and providing them with an ideal environment to win medals.
"Bent was the reason why I came out of retirement," said Olympic bronze medalist Jon Beare. "Bent was the reason why we met with success in Beijing.... He left an indelible mark on the sport of rowing, not only in Canada and Denmark, but the world over. We were all incredibly blessed to have had the time that we did with Bent, and can look back fondly over our two years together."
Jensen and fellow Dane Carsten Hassing, coach of the heavyweight women, joined the Canadian team in 2006.
"Ninety-five percent of the way I look at rowing comes from Bent," Hassing said. "He was a mentor, but more than anything he was a friend."
Jensen, who was based in Victoria, B.C., didn't consider missing the Olympics, even as he continued to be aggressively treated for pancreatic cancer this summer. He and his wife, Ulla, inspired the team with their strength and good humour during the Games.
"It was a pleasure and an honour to have Bent part of the Rowing Canada team," said Rowing Canada Aviron VP High Performance, Phil Monckton. "In addition to his remarkable record, he brought with him a wonderful influence on his peers and athletes. He was calm, gentle and quick-witted, yet very competitive. We will miss him greatly."
Jensen's funeral will be held next Tuesday at the K?hurch near his house in Denmark at 12 noon.
Jensen, who was 60 years old, is survived by his wife, Ulla Jensen, two daughters from a previous marriage, and his sister.