Curt Harnett named 2015 Chef de Mission

The Canadian Olympic Committee has named Curt Harnett as the Chef de Mission for the 2015 Pan Am Games. Harnett is a decorated Canadian Olympian, having won three Olympic medals in track cycling competition.

“It’s one of those things where I was invited to be Assistant Chef de Mission for Guadalajara 2011,” said Harnett. “It’d be fair to say I enjoyed the experience so much that when it came time for 2015, I would put my name forward.”

Harnett filed his application in June, and worked his way through the interview process. Although he was told he had the position, the Canadian Olympic Committee asked to keep things under wraps until an official announcement could be made.

“I’ve been sort of like a keirin rider in the start gate waiting for the countdown clock to release me,” joked Harnett. “So far, it’s been a lot of behind the scenes prep, and keeping things in confidence. The benefit of me being involved in 2011, is that I can hit the ground running.”

Responsible for ensuing the entire Canadian team – athletes, coaches, and support staff – have all they need to be at their best, Harnett has a lot to do over the coming two years.

“First, I’m ensuring the team have everything they need during the games in place to succeed. Next it will come down to building the profile of the team leading up to the Games.”

Building awareness of the team in the lead up to the games can be a challenge, since many sports go largely unnoticed until a Pan Am games, or Olympic Games, bring them to the forefront.

“What a great opportunity this will provide for the home team just a year out from the Rio, a great opportunity to set the stage,” said Harnett. “There will be a fair number of Olympic Qualifiers in 2015, and some Pan Am only competition, so it’s a big deal.”

Coming from excellence in the velodrome, Harnett is naturally very excited about the Milton velodrome.

“I’ve been vocal in support of the velodrome. Once a bike rider, always a bike rider.”

Part of the excitement of a multisport games are all of the events fans rarely see in other circumstance.

“One thing the assistant Chef taught me is the chance to see other sports live. As much as I have been and continue to be a cyclist, one great thing in 2011 was to see 68 different events,” said Harnett. “I was able to appreciate what it took, and what I was seeing in things like fencing, or table tennis, or raquetball or bowling.”

The 2015 Toronto Pan Am Games take place July 10-26, 2015.