National Coach Randy Bennett Passes Away at 51
With information from Swimming Canada release:
Randy Bennett, Head Coach of the Swimming Canada High Performance Centre – Victoria and Director of Island Swimming passed away late Monday night after a courageous battle with cancer. Originally diagnosed as non-small cell lung cancer earlier this year, the diagnosis was later revised to metastatic malignant melanoma.
Bennett had been the head coach for Canada’s Olympic Swim team in 2012 and for all other senior national teams since 2009. His ongoing commitment to his athletes, and his dedication and passion for High Performance was un-matched.
“Randy was always focused on high performance in everything he did” said Swimming Canada High Performance Director John Atkinson. “He will be greatly missed by all in swimming. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Throughout his coaching career he touched many lives and since the news broke of his passing there have been numerous postings on social media from his current and former athletes as well as his coaching colleagues and many friends.
Statement from two-time Olympic medallist Ryan Cochrane:
We’ve lost a mentor, a visionary, and a friend. Randy’s ability to fight for what was right is a tenet we must all continue to uphold. He expected nothing except the absolute best from each and every person he touched. Coaching was his passion and his life, and I know he has had a profound impact on my life both in and out of sport. I would not be the athlete or person I am today without him. The values and imagination Randy instilled in all of his athletes will live on and that’s a testament to his love of swimming.
Randy is survived by his wife Lesley and his sons Brett and Kyle. Service information will be shared in the near future as appropriate.
Full Release from Swimming Canada – http://www.swimming.ca/NewsArticle.aspx?newsid=4581
Swim Vortex – http://www.swimvortex.com/swimming-mourns-canada-national-coach-randy-bennett-mentor-to-ryan-cochrane/
Swimming World - http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/cancer-claims-canadian-national-coach-randy-bennett-51/
SwimSwam – http://swimswam.com/2012-canadian-olympic-swim-team-coach-randy-bennett-dies/
CBC – http://www.cbc.ca/sports/randy-bennett-canadian-swim-coach-dies-of-cancer-at-51-1.3052216
Globe and Mail - http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/canadian-swimming-coach-randy-bennett-dies-after-brief-battle-with-cancer/article24150071/