Bruny Surin named Canada's Chef de Mission for the Paris 2024 Olympics
Surin was part of Canada's famous 4x100 relay team in 1996
Four-time Olympian and 1996 gold medallist Bruny Surin was named Team Canada's Chef de Mission for the Paris 2024 Olympics at an announcement from the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) in Montreal on Friday.
The 54-year-old competed for Canada in long jump at the Seoul 1988 Games, before switching to sprinting events at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Games. In 1996 he won his lone Olympic medal, a gold as part of Canada’s famous 4x100 relay team that upset the Americans on home soil — a team that also included Robert Esmie, Glenroy Gilbert, Donovan Bailey and Carlton Chambers (who ran in the heats but not the final).
Since retiring he has stayed involved in the athletics community, including starting the Bruny Surin Foundation, which helps student-athletes balance studies and sport. The foundation annually awards $20,000 in scholarships.
“From his incredible athletic achievements to his exceptional work in the community, Bruny is a true ambassador for sport,” said four-time Olympian and COC President Tricia Smith in a press release. “His infectious passion for sport and teamwork will serve him well in his role as Chef de Mission.”
Surin has served as a Chef de Mission before — leading the Canadian delegation at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. He’s also a member of the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, as well as an appointee to the Order of Canada.
“Bruny is undoubtedly the perfect choice for Chef in 2024,” said Eric Myles, COC’s Chief Sport Officer, in a press release. ”He is a valued member of our Olympic family and in addition, possesses the qualities of being a unifier and team player. With his incomparable Olympic journey and his passion for sport and people, he will be the ultimate ambassador for Team Canada 2024.”
There are still over two years until Paris 2024 is set to begin. The Games will run from July 26 to August 11, 2024 and feature 329 medal events across 32 sports. There will be a new event in Paris, breakdancing, as well as the return of skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing — all of which debuted at Tokyo 2020 last summer.
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