Speed Skating Canada – Montreal, June 7, 2018 – Derrick Campbell has announced that he has stepped down as coach of the Canadian men’s short track speed skating team.

Head of the men’s national program since the 2006-2007 season, Campbell decided to pursue new challenges as part of the Chinese team, as China prepares to host the Olympic Games in 2022 in Beijing.

“I’m excited about this next challenge in my career,” said Derrick Campbell. “It’s an opportunity to experience and learn new things and to be a part of something as special as helping to prepare a team for a home Olympic Games.”

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but after 12 years at this job, I was ready to take on new challenges,” explained Derrick Campbell.

“I’m deeply appreciative of my time with the Canadian program,” Campbell added. “I’d like to extend many thanks to Speed Skating Canada for its support over the years and to the staff and athletes, with who I developed many great relationships and shared so many incredible moments. It was a privilege to be a part of this team for so many years.”

“On behalf of Speed Skating Canada, I want to wish the best of luck to Derrick Campbell as he takes on this new challenge,” said Speed Skating Canada Chief Sport Officer Shawn Holman. “Derrick was part of the men’s program over three Olympic cycles and he was instrumental in building a tradition of excellence in the sport of short track speed skating in Canada. We thank him for everything he has done and we congratulate him for the results his skaters have earned, including the seven Olympic medals he has contributed to, of which four were won by Charles Hamelin.”

Speed Skating Canada will launch the recruitment process in the middle of June in order to fill the vacant position.

A three-time Olympian (1992, 1994 and 1998), a gold medalist in the relay at the Nagano Games and a world champion in the 500m in 1997, Derrick Campbell retired in 2000 to start coaching. After leading the American team to the 2006 Olympic Games, the holder of a Level 4 National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) licence came back to Canada for the 2007-2008 season at the helm of the Canadian national men’s short track team.

Since them, the Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC) has led Canadian skaters to a total of seven medals at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Olympic Games.

More details are available at Speed Skating Canada’s web site at www.speedskating.ca.

About Speed Skating Canada

Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, SSC is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial associations. Speed Skating Canada is committed to Challenge and Inspire Canada to Thrive through the power of Speed Skating. SSC recognizes and values its outstanding volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. It also celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932, as well as the coaches, officials and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey. www.speedskating.ca

Speed Skating Canada would like to thank its sponsors:

Premium partner: Intact Insurance

Funding partners: Government of Canada (Sport Canada), Own The Podium, Canadian Olympic Committee

Official On-Ice High Performance Apparel: Li-Ning

Long Track Team Sponsor: KIA

Official Suppliers: Auclair, USANA

Official Technical Equipment Supplier: Nagano Skate

Sport Development Partners: Winsport Canada, Calgary’s Olympic Oval, University of Calgary, Institut national du sport du Québec, Government of Quebec, Canadian Sport Institute-Calgary, City of Montreal, Quebec City, Excellence sportive Québec-Lévis

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For information:

Patrick Godbout

Communications & Media Relations Manager

Speed Skating Canada

Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca

Phone: 514 213-9897

Website: www.speedskating.ca 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC