Canadian Olympic Committee Names Jacques Cardyn Assistant Chef de Mission for 2007 Pan American Games
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced today that 1984 fencing Olympian and 1983 Pan American Games gold medallist Jacques Cardyn has been appointed as the Assistant Chef de Mission for Canada at the 2007 Pan American Games. The COC also announced that Canadian-Brazilian business leader Jack Delmar has been appointed as the Canadian Team Attaché for the Games.
Born in Patagonia, Chile and a resident of Montreal, Cardyn, 50, helped Canada achieve a best ever fourth-place finish in fencing’s team épée event at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Cardyn was also a member of the 1980 Olympic team which did not compete due to the boycott. A multiple national and Quebec provincial champion during the course of his career, Cardyn also represented Canada at both the 1979 and 1983 Pan American Games, winning a gold medal in the team épée event during his second appearance.
“I am honoured to be selected as Canada’s Assistant Chef de Mission for the 2007 Pan American Games,” said Cardyn. “During the nine-month lead-up to the Pan American Games, I’m looking forward to working with the Canadian Olympic Committee and Chef de Mission Tricia Smith to help provide additional leadership to Canadian athletes as they strive to achieve podium success in Rio de Janerio.”
After retiring from high-performance sport in 1985 following a 10-year career with the national team, Cardyn continued to stay involved in fencing, working as a coach, team leader and High-Performance Director with the Canadian Fencing Federation. As fencing’s High-Performance Director, Cardyn was responsible for the sport’s development and helped lead the Canadian fencing team at several major international events including the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain; the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina; and the 1991 and 1997 World Championships.
Among his notable past positions, Cardyn was President of the Quebec Fencing Federation and was the founder and first President of the Quebec Athletes Association. In June 2006, he was named to the Canadian Fencing Federation’s Board of Directors and currently serves as the organization’s Vice-President of High-Performance. He has also been a member of the organizing committee for the fencing World Cup in Montreal for the past 15 years.
Apart from his involvement in high-performance sport, Cardyn is employed in the student services department and is a fencing épée coach for the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf in Montreal.
“I am very excited that Jacques Cardyn has agreed to join Team Canada for the 2007 Pan American Games,” said Chef de Mission Tricia Smith. “Not only does he have extensive experience as a high-performance athlete, coach, team leader and administrator, he is also an enthusiastic advocate for sport and athletes. He is an exceptional individual who will be an invaluable asset to the leadership of Canada’s team leading up to and during the 2007 Pan American Games.”
Delmar, 62, a former Quebec resident who has lived in Brazil since 1977, is one of the top business leaders in Brazil. He is the Chairman of Brascan Brasil, an asset management company with a focus on real estate, power generation, business services and agribusiness. He is the founder, past Chief Executive Officer and current Chairman of Brascan Imobiliária S.A., Brazil’s premier real estate development company.
Delmar is also Canada’s Honourary Consul for the Region of the Highlands of the State of Rio de Janeiro and is an Honourary Citizen of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Among his numerous honours, Delmar is the recipient of the Pedro Ernesto medal, the highest commendation granted by the city.
As Team Attaché, Delmar will be responsible for facilitating cooperation between the COC and the various local groups and individuals in Rio de Janeiro while also assisting with Canada’s team operations at the 2007 Pan American Games.
The 2007 Pan American Games will take place in Rio de Janerio, Brazil from July 13-29.
