Bruny Surin named Team Canada’s Chef de Mission for Paris 2024

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) has named Olympic champion and philanthropist Bruny Surin as Team Canada’s Chef de Mission for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

As Chef de Mission, COC says Surin will support and motivate athletes on and off the field of play and act as spokesperson for the team in the lead up to and during the Games.

“Paris already holds a special place in my heart,” said Surin, in a statement. “When you layer the Olympic Games on top of such a marvelous city, you get an experience beyond compare. I am so proud to be named Team Canada’s Paris 2024 Chef de Mission. I am looking forward to embarking on this adventure and being there for each member of our Team; I will be their number one fan.”

Surin has represented Team Canada four times at the Olympics. He began his Olympic career as a long jumper at Seoul in 1988 before taking up sprinting at the advice of a coach. He finished fourth in the 100m in his second Olympic appearance at Barcelona 1992. At his third Games, Surin made history as a member of Team Canada’s legendary 4x100m relay team at Atlanta 1996- the first team to defeat the United States for the Olympic gold in the event. Alongside former teammate Donovan Bailey, Surin is the co-owner of the Canadian record in the 100m at 9.94 seconds.

COC says Surin was chosen for the role as Chef de Mission for his work as an athlete and a philanthropist, motivational speaker and role model. In 2002, he founded the Bruny Surin Foundation to help promote the importance of healthy and active lifestyle to youth. The foundation has awarded $20,000 in scholarships every year to student athletes by helping them balance their sports and studies.

“Bruny is undoubtedly the perfect choice for Chef in 2024,” said Eric Myles, COC’s Chief Sport Officer, in a statment. ”He is a valued member of our Olympic family and in addition, possesses the qualities of being a unifier and team player. With his incomparable Olympic journey and his passion for sport and people, he will be the ultimate ambassador for Team Canada 2024.”

Surin is also the recipient of both the Diamond Jubilee Medal of Queen Elizabeth II and the Ordre national du Québec for his career and impact on youth in sports. He is also an appointee of the Order of Canada and a member of the Olympic Hall of Fame and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

The Olympic Games Paris 2024 will take place from July 26 to August 11. Paris will become the second city, following London, to host the Olympic Games three times.