Rowing Canada CEO Terry Dillon to Step Down Ahead of 2024 Olympics in Paris
Rowing Canada CEO Terry Dillon to Step Down Ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics
Rowing Canada chief executive officer Terry Dillon has announced his resignation, effective June 30, ahead of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. Dillon, who has been at the helm of the country’s governing body for the past seven years, made the difficult decision to step down, stating, “I took this job to make a difference and I am proud of what we achieved.”
Jennifer Fitzpatrick, Rowing Canada’s director of partnerships and sport development, will take over as interim CEO starting July 1. The upcoming Olympic rowing events will take place from July 27 to August 3 at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, while the Paralympic rowing competition will run from August 30 to September 1 at Vaires-Torcy leisure complex.
Canada’s women’s eight and women’s lightweight double have already qualified for the Paris Games, with the men’s eight and women’s quadruple sculls aiming to secure their spots at a last-chance Olympic qualifier in Lucerne, Switzerland. Additionally, Jacob Wasserman of Humboldt, Sask., has qualified to race in the Paralympic men’s single event.
Rowing Canada has been working to shift its high-performance culture, following the dismissal of head coach Dave Thompson in 2020 due to athlete complaints of bullying and maltreatment. The organization conducted a review in 2022 and committed to implementing recommendations from a report issued by the law firm Rubin-Thomlinson.
Despite the challenges faced, Dillon expressed pride in the progress made during his tenure, stating, “We have done much of the hard work that was needed to elevate the athlete’s voice, address power imbalances, and shift the culture in our national team programs.” Rowing Canada president Carol Purcer commended Dillon for his dedication to growing the sport in Canada and leading the organization forward.
Further updates on Rowing Canada’s leadership transition will be provided at a later date as the organization continues its efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for athletes.