October 4, 2004 – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), in its
continued effort to support the direction and success of high performance
athletes in Canada, announced today that Brian Richardson has been named to
the new position of Director, International Performance. Richardson, the
former Canadian head coach National Rowing Team, will be based out of the
COCís Vancouver office and will report to the COC’s Executive Director of
Sport, Mark Lowry, starting on October 4.

“I am extremely excited to be offered the position of Director,
International Performance with the COC,”said Richardson. “Having
participated in many Olympic Games as both an athlete and a coach, and
having worked with many sport organizations in Canada and internationally, I
have a great appreciation for what Canada is doing well, and what we can
build on to get to that next level of podium success.”
Richardson has been an integral member of the COCís Excellence Fund Sport
Review Committee as a technical expert since its inception in 2002. In
his new position Richardson will provide direct assistance and technical
support to National Sport Federations, assist in the professionalization
of coaching in Canada, provide technical analysis of Canadian performance
preparation, as well as having responsibility for researching other
countries technical planning and innovation for Olympic Games. In
addition, he will work with COC staff in assisting VANOC with their plans
for the development of venues and legacies for the 2010 Olympic Winter
Games in Vancouver.

Formerly the coach of the National Rowing Team in his home country of
Australia, Richardson came to Canada as head coach of the Canadian team
from 1993 – 1996 and once again after the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney to
head up the coaching staff of the Canadian rowing team prior to and during
the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

As a head coach Richardson has seen his teams win over 60 World
Championship and Olympic medals. During his tenure as Canadian head coach,
Canadian crews have won 11 medals: five gold, five silver and one bronze
at World and Olympic Championships.

As an Olympian himself, Richardson competed on the 1976 and 1980
Australian rowing teams in the menís eights. He also has an additional
place in Australian sporting history as a member of the > crew aboard
Australia II during the final sailing race that sealed the country’s 1983
Americaís Cup victory.

“We could not be happier to have such an esteemed member of the
international sports community join us at the COC,î said Chris Rudge, CEO of
the Canadian Olympic Committee. “Brian’s years of competitive and
administrative experience demonstrate the skill set necessary to support the
COC vision of increased podium success.”