Iconic image of Simon winning Hy-Vee in 2010
Simon has announced his retirement from triathlon today:
Just some of his palmares:
Four-time Olympian
Gold Sydney Olympics,
Silver Beijing Olympics
Flag Bearer London Olympics
Simon's contribution to sport in Canada is far greater than his competitive record. He has been a consistent driving force of high performance in triathlon in Canada, leading by example, challenging everyone around him to be better in every way, to really 'walk the talk'. He has raised the level of our expectations of what it takes, with his 'relentless pursuit' of excellence.
Behind the scenes he has been a true builder, from the sporting community in Victoria BC, to supporting and mentoring many young athletes with big dreams, showing them the path forward, and what Canadians can achieve with full commitment to the process.
The extraordinary length of Simon's career at the top of triathlon is a testament of his understanding of doing the basics extremely well, his ability to embrace the details and implementing innovation, and the need to continually evolve as an athlete as the sport moves forward.
Simon's influence on my own coaching career is immeasurable, from the fantastic team we built together in Victoria, to the process of blood, sweat and tears from Athens leading to his silver medal in Beijing, it was an irreplaceable experience. What I learned from him profoundly shaped my own beliefs about elite sport, and the coaching process, and has formed the foundation for my coaching career. It has been a privilege to be involved with his journey thus far in sport, to know him as a friend, and I look forward to his next chapter.
Chapeau Simon!