John Furlong (sports administrator)
John Furlong, OC, OBC (born October 12, 1950) is a Canadian sports administrator who oversaw the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics and was President and CEO of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC).
John A. F. Furlong OC OBC | |
|---|---|
| CEO of Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games | |
| In office February 21, 2004 – February 28, 2010 | |
| IOC President | Jacques Rogge |
| Preceded by | Valentino Castellani |
| Succeeded by | Dmitry Chernyshenko |
| Chair of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games | |
| In office February 21, 2004 – June 27, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Committee establish |
| Succeeded by | Position dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 12, 1950 Tipperary, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish, Canadian |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Cook (m. 1970–76) Dayle Turner (1978–82) Gail Robb (m. 1984–2011) Deborah Sharp (m. 2012–her death 2013) Renee Smith-Valade (2013) |
| Residence | BC |
| Occupation | Sports administrator |
| Website | johnfurlong |
Furlong is chairman of Rocky Mountaineer, corporate director of Canadian Tire, volunteer chair of Own the Podium and a public speaker.
Furlong first visited Canada as a physical education teacher and missionary at two Catholic day schools from 1969 to 1972 in the Canadian province of British Columbia in the communities of Burns Lake and Prince George, it has been reported he physically and emotionally abused multiple children while at those schools. At the conclusion of his teaching term he returned to Ireland and served as a sports administrator at Newpark Comprehensive School before emigrating to Canada in 1975. He was also president of the Arbutus Club, a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, and head of the BC Summer Games, BC Winter Games and Sport B.C.
He has cited Canada as being possibly unique in appointing an immigrant to be CEO of their Olympic Games.
His performance and leadership in the Canadian Sport community and specifically in the highly successful staging of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games led to him receiving the Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia as well as numerous honorary degrees.
After the Games, accusations of errors and omissions in his autobiography and abuse allegations were published dating back to his years as a missionary and teacher. Furlong has vehemently denied all the allegations.