Canada Fires Head Swim Coach
Sunday September 12, 2004
Swimming Canada has fired head coach Dave Johnson, who came under fire for Canada's poor performance in the Olympic pool in Athens.
Tuesday's announcement had been reported in the works since Canada's 20-member team failed to win an Olympic medal in Athens. It marked the first time since the 1964 Games in Tokyo that Canadian swimmers had come away empty-handed. (CP, TheStar)
Comments
Dave Johnson was the National Team Coach, he did not develop or train the Canadian Olympic Team, other than during a short period of time prior to the Olympic Games (World Championships, etc.).
Dave could not be expected to make silk purses out of . . . well you know the rest of the story . . . the athletes and their “home coaches” needed to take a lot more responsibility for their results and not blame Dave Johnson for any short comings that may have been attributated to him as National Coach .
Dave Johnson produced in his own home progams many National and International Champions, including, world records and a host of medals in Canadian Nationals, Pam American Games, Common Wealth Games, and World Championships.
Thank you for dedicating a large part of your life to our young people, and please continue to do so, as you have been one of the most prolific swim coaches ever in Canadian Sports History . . . Thanks Dave Johnson