Canadian Bobsleigh Executive, Robert Storey, Receives Prestigious Olympic Order by IOC
—Storey recognized for distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement—
CALGARY—Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton congratulates Canadian sport leader, Robert (Bob) Storey, on being honoured with the Olympic Order – the supreme award presented to individuals by the International Olympic Committee.
On November 14th IOC President Jacques Rogge presented Robert Storey with the Olympic Order at Lausanne, Switzerland.
In the presentation Dr. Rogge acknowledged Mr. Storey’s distinguished career as an Olympic athlete, service as President of National and International Sport Federations, his work on IOC Committees and the Canadian Olympic Committee during his 45 years of commitment to sport.
A native of Collingwood, Ont., Mr. Storey was first introduced to bobsleigh in the 1960’s and went on to compete for Canada at two Olympic Games in addition to representing his country at a third Games as a National Team Coach.
Mr. Storey served as the President of Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) from 1976 to 1994, and first served as Vice-President of the Fédération Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganning (FIBT) from 1984, before serving as the fourth President of FIBT from 1994 to 2010. Since 2010 he has served as Honourary President of FIBT.
“Mr. Storey has done some heavy lifting for our sport – not only in Canada – but around the world ensuring its credibility while extending its audience reach internationally,” said Reid Morrison, President, BCS.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and most importantly the athletes, I would like to congratulate Mr. Storey on his accomplishments, and on receiving this significant honour. His passion and commitment to excellence in sport is unmatched, and I applaud the IOC for recognizing his contributions.”
In his acceptance speech Mr. Storey acknowledged the honour, and emphasized the valuable friendships made along the way.
“I began my post athletic Olympic career with the idea of giving something back to sport. I happily learned the more one contributes the more sport rewards.”
During his career, Mr. Storey has served on countless committees and boards – helping to grow sport, while giving high-performance athletes more opportunities to compete internationally.
“There were some significant highlights for me along the way – When I was President of BCS I, with the help of others of course, laid the foundation for the evolution of Canada’s very successful Olympic sliding program.”
“As President of FIBT I spearheaded the promotion of men\'s and women\'s skeleton and women\'s bobsleigh internationally that resulted in the three new sport disciplines being added to the Olympic Winter Games program. It is not an easy task to add one discipline to the program, let alone three. The inclusion of these disciplines has enabled a lot of athletes to participate in the Games.”
Mr. Storey also played a key role as Chief International Strategist with the successful Vancouver 2010 bid group.
“I relished that role. I was able to use the knowledge and friendships of many years in the Olympic Movement to help bring those Games home.”
The ceremony was attended by a number of representatives of the IOC and the International Sport Federations, including colleagues and fellow winter sport Federation Presidents Ottavio Cinquanta, President of the International Skating Union and Dr. Rene Fasel, President of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
“No one has done as more for Canada in Olympic Winter Sport than Bob Storey.
Not just in for his own sports – he has worked diligently for all athletes and federations. And, Vancouver would not have won the 2010 Olympics without him,” said Dr. Fasel, who is also President of the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports (ASIOWF) and an IOC Executive Board Member.
Originally created in 1975, the Olympic Order is described as the highest award of the Olympic Movement and is awarded for particularly distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement and in recognition of efforts of merit in the cause of sport.
Bobsleigh CANADA Skeleton is a non-profit organization and the national governing body for the sports of bobsleigh and skeleton in Canada. With the support of its valued corporate partners – Dow Chemical, Adidas, KBC Helmets, Eurotech – Viking Engineering, SAIT Polytechnic, Conceptum Sport Logistics, Therapeutica – along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee and Own the Podium, Bobsleigh CANADA Skeleton develops Olympic and world champions. Please visit us at www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan
Media and Public Relations
Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton
T: 281.703.4394