The Emergence of Canadian Swimming?

A world record coupled with three medal winning performances by Canada’s National Swim Team at the recent 2009 FINA World Aquatic Championships evoked memories of its glory days in the mid 80’s and early 90’s.

In an era where world record swims and gold medal winning performances seemed like a daily occurrence, Canada’s swim program fell upon hard times in the late 90’ and on into the 21st Century. Hitting rock bottom at the 2004 Olympic Games where no Canadian swimmer placed higher than fifth and only two Canadian swimmers posted best times Canada’s swim program was in need of new blood.

Following those now disastrous games, Swimming Canada hired internationally acclaimed Pierre Lafontaine with the sole purpose of restoring Canada’s swimming lore. A Canadian with a history of success in both the United States and Australia, Lafontaine brought energy and direction into a program that was rudderless in Athens.

Since 2004 Lafontaine has helped restore Canada’s club and national team while at the same time increasing the visibility of the sport to Corporate Canada. Cheerleader, ambassador, enforcer, and leader, Lafontaine is a man who seems to wear every hat imaginable within the organization. Couple that with an energy level that rivals that of a five year old child - Lafontaine’s imprint is starting to show.

Consider that Mike Brown won Canada’s first gold medal in over eight years in the sport of swimming at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. In 2007 Brent Hayden won Canada’s first swimming world championship in over 21 years. In 2008 Ryan Cochrane won Canada’s first Olympic medal in over eight years with a bronze medal swim in the 1,500m. And now at the 2009 World Aquatic Championships Canada finished the week long event with 2 silver medals, 1 bronze medal and a world record – not bad for a sport that many considered un-reparable only 5 years ago.