John Furlong (Canadian)
Encyclopedia
John Furlong, O.C
, O.B.C
(born October 12, 1950) was the President and Chief Executive Officer
of VANOC
which oversaw the preparation and execution of the 2010 Winter Olympics
and 2010 Winter Paralympics
Games. Prior to his appointment as the CEO of VANOC, he chaired the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation (2001–2004), President of Arbutus Club, a members-only family club, member of the Canadian Olympic Committee
, Chair of the BC Summer Games
and BC Winter Games
, and Sport B.C.
He immigrated to Canada
from Ireland
in 1974. He participated in international level in basketball
, European handball
and squash
. He became Canadian Squash Champion in 1986.
In the aftermath of the 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot
, Furlong was appointed along with Douglas Keefe to independently examine the incident and to offer recommendations for the future. The report, The Night the City Became a Stadium: Independent Review of 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup Playoffs Riot, was published on September 1, 2011.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, O.B.C
Order of British Columbia
The Order of British Columbia is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Instituted in 1989 by Lieutenant Governor David Lam, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Bill Vander Zalm, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour...
(born October 12, 1950) was the President and Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of VANOC
Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games was the non-profit organization responsible for planning, organizing, financing and staging the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics...
which oversaw the preparation and execution of the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
and 2010 Winter Paralympics
2010 Winter Paralympics
The 2010 Winter Paralympics, officially the X Paralympic Winter Games, or the 10th Winter Paralympics, were held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada from March 12 to 21, 2010. The Opening Ceremony took place in BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and the Closing Ceremony in Whistler...
Games. Prior to his appointment as the CEO of VANOC, he chaired the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation (2001–2004), President of Arbutus Club, a members-only family club, member of the Canadian Olympic Committee
Canadian Olympic Committee
The Canadian Olympic Committee - COC is the private, non-profit organization representing Canadian athletes in the International Olympic Committee and the Pan American Games. It was formally recognized by the IOC in 1907. The COC also represents the selection of Canadian cities in their bid for...
, Chair of the BC Summer Games
BC Summer Games
The BC Summer Games are an amateur sporting event held every year annually in the province of British Columbia, Canada. The next games are slated to be held in Langley, BC from July 22 - July 25, 2010....
and BC Winter Games
BC Winter Games
The BC Winter Games are an amateur sporting event held in British Columbia, Canada on every other year.The next BC Winter Games are slated to be held in Greater Vernon, BC from February 23 - 26, 2012.- History :...
, and Sport B.C.
He immigrated to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1974. He participated in international level in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, European handball
Team handball
Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team...
and squash
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
. He became Canadian Squash Champion in 1986.
In the aftermath of the 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot
2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot
The 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot was a public disturbance that broke out in the downtown core of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on Wednesday, June 15, 2011. The riots happened immediately after the conclusion of the Boston Bruins' win over the Vancouver Canucks in game seven of the Stanley...
, Furlong was appointed along with Douglas Keefe to independently examine the incident and to offer recommendations for the future. The report, The Night the City Became a Stadium: Independent Review of 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup Playoffs Riot, was published on September 1, 2011.
Awards
- Officer of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(May 6, 2010) - Order of British ColumbiaOrder of British ColumbiaThe Order of British Columbia is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Instituted in 1989 by Lieutenant Governor David Lam, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Bill Vander Zalm, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour...
(2010) - Olympic OrderOlympic OrderThe Olympic Order is the highest award of the Olympic Movement, created by the International Olympic Committee in May 1975 as a successor to the Olympic Certificate previously awarded. The Olympic Order originally had three grades , although the bronze grade was retired in 1984...
- Paralympic Order
- Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) , University of British ColumbiaUniversity of British ColumbiaThe University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
(2010) - Doctor of TechnologyDoctor of TechnologyThe Doctor of Technology degree is conferred upon candidates after having completed a course of study in technology, and a project of lengthy duration in a technologically-related field...
(honoris causa), British Columbia Institute of TechnologyBritish Columbia Institute of TechnologyThe British Columbia Institute of Technology , is a public, coeducational, academic institution of higher education in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. The polytechnic has five campuses located in the Metro Vancouver region, with the main campus in Burnaby...
(2010) - Doctor of Laws (honoris causa), Justice Institute of British ColumbiaJustice Institute of British ColumbiaThe Justice Institute of British Columbia is a public, post-secondary educational institution in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, that is focused on training professionals in the justice, public safety and social services fields...
(2010)
- B.C.’s Sportsman of the Decade (2010)
- Outstanding sports executive of the year - Sports Media Canada Achievement Awards (2010)
- Transformational Canadians (2010)
- Top 25 Canadian Immigrants AwardTop 25 Canadian Immigrants AwardTop 25 Canadian Immigrants Award is an annual campaign that recognizes outstanding immigrants who "have come to Canada and have made a positive difference living in the country". First launched by Canadian Immigrant in 2009, the program takes place online, and nominations are open to all Canadians...
(2010) - Canada’s Most Influential Sport Figure (2009)
- BC Sports Hall of FameBC Sports Hall of FameFor over 40 years, the community has entrusted the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum with the responsibility to collect, preserve, study, and interpret materials that relate to British Columbia’s rich sport history...
Inductee - W.A.C. Bennett Award (2004) - The Globe & Mail as Canada’s Nation Builder (2010)
- Canada’s 2010 Marketer of the year (2010)
- Sports Media Canada’s Sports Executive of the Year (2010)
Publications
Furlong recounts his experience leading up to and throughout the Games. In his book Patriot Hearts, he describes how he handled seemingly insurmountable setbacks ― such as the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, a global recession and the washed out snow at Cypress Bowl ― to achieve a runaway success and, ultimately, a pivotal moment of nationhood.- Patriot Hearts: Inside the Olympics That Changed a Country by John Furlong & Gary Mason, Douglas & McIntyre (2011)