Smith hired as Olympic Development Coach

Ottawa – Athletics Canada announced today that Glenn Smith from Calgary, Alta., has been hired to the position of Olympic Development Coach.  The position is based at Athletics Canada’s Calgary High Performance Centre.  Glenn will formally start on a half time basis September 1, moving to full time beginning November 1. 
Glenn will work directly with Senior National Team Program and Calgary Centre Lead Coach Les Gramantik.  The focus is on direct coaching of selected Olympic Development Program athletes based at the Calgary High Performance Centre as well as assisting the lead coach in established national team high performance athletes.  The Olympic Development Coach will work in collaboration with Athletics Canada technical staff to support and complement the work of the National Talent Development Coach.

Martin Goulet, Athletics Canada Chief High Performance Officer, speaks on the importance and the role of Athletics Canada’s High Performance Centre in Calgary, “The technical events, which the Calgary Centre is focused on, are highly prioritized within our High Performance plan.  We needed to address a capacity issue and implement a coaching succession strategy.  We received several quality applications for the position and Glenn was selected after a thorough process.”  Goulet adds, “This is very healthy for our sport and for professional coaching in Canada.  Athletics Canada is sending a clear signal to young coaches; if you display leadership, passion, and a capacity to work and learn within a dynamic group of professionals we want you onboard.”

Smith has six years of coaching experience in sprints, jumps, throws and combined events at Central Michigan University, Tulane University and Neosho County Community College.  Glenn is excited at the prospect of returning home to continue his career, “I left for the United States eight years ago as there were little to no opportunities to coach track and field as a career in Canada.  I am very excited at the opportunity of returning home to help develop Canada’s future elite athletes.”  Smith holds a Master of Education in Kinesiology – Sport Science and Nutrition from the University of Texas and holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Calgary.

Glenn Smith was an elite sprinter from 1989 to 2003 representing Canada on the international stage on six occasions including at the 1999 World Championships.  He excelled in the 100 and 200-metres winning Canadian and Canada Games titles in the latter.   In 1999 he was recognized by Athletics Canada with the Fred Tees Memorial Award recognizing the top athlete enrolled in a Canadian University.