By Stephen J. Thomas
CANBERRA, Australia, March 21. FRENCH Canadian Pierre Lafontaine has quit his prestigious position as head swim coach of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra to take on the challenging role of chief executive of Swimming Canada.
Lafontaine, who has been at the AIS for over three years, was appointed head coach just two years ago when his enthusiasm and strong leadership skills were particularly needed to give the program direction after the departure of a couple of senior coaches.
He will depart the AIS next month at a time when it is brimming with swimming talent, boosted this year by the likes of Jodie Henry, Alice Mills, Felicity Galvez and Brenton Rickard.
Lafontaine will certainly find the task to refocus the swimming program in his homeland a much tougher assignment following the Canadians' dismal performance in Athens, but it is understood that there are also some family considerations behind his return. Prior to his time Down Under, Lafontaine spent 15 years in the USA, much of which was in Arizona.
Lafontaine informed his swimmers of his move following the conclusion of the Australian Championships and World Champs selection trials on the weekend.