Today, Swimming Canada has announced Randy Bennett as the head coach for the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team, according to a press release. Bennett is the head coach of the Island Swimming Association in Vancouver, where he counts among his pupils dual Worlds silver-medalist Ryan Cochrane and 2008 Olympian Alexia Komarnycky. He also trains National Record holder, and former NCAA Champion at Texas A&M, Julia Wilkinson in her post-grad career. Other name-swimmers at the ISA include Cal sophomore Jeremy Bagshaw and Stefan Hirniak.
This announcement was really more of a formality than anything else, after Bennett led the 2009 and 2011 World Championships squads. Canada has had a level of international success that they haven’t seen in decades under Bennett’s influence.
The news came today at the beginning of Swimming Canada’s General Meeting in Ottawa. This meeting is the equivalent of the USA Swimming Convention that was held a few weeks ago in Jacksonville.
OTTAWA – Swimming Canada is excited to announce that Randy Bennett of Victoria, BC, has been appointed head coach of Canada’s swim team for the London 2012 Olympic Games next summer.
“We’re really excited about making this announcement today. This is another positive momentum builder for our 2012 Olympic Team, ” said CEO and National Coach for Swimming Canada, Pierre Lafontaine.
“Randy’s leadership as Head Coach for the past three major international competitions has made a positive impact on the team. The team has been on an upward momentum and the 2012 Olympics will be quite exciting for Canadian swimming, “ added Lafontaine.
Bennett, who’s star pupil Ryan Cochrane collected two silver medals last summer for Canada at the FINA World Aquatic Championships, had been previously named head coach of the 2009 and 2011 Worlds, as well as the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
“I’m truly humbled to be nominated as Head Coach for Canada’s swim team that will be competing at the 2012 Games in London,” said Randy Bennett, Head Coach of the Victoria Academy of Swimming.
“For the past years, we have built a strong team supported by world-class coaches and support staff. I’m looking forward to working within the team once again in the capacity of head coach.”
“The depth in Canadian swimming has grown significantly and I’m really excited to witness some great performance at our trials in March.”
The birth of Canada’s swim team for the 2012 Olympics will take place March 27 to April 1st in Montreal during the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Trials.