Canadian Canoe Sprint icon Adam van Koeverden was appointed Secretary of State for Sport in Prime Minister Mark Carney's new cabinet.
First elected to the House of Commons in 2019, Van Koeverden was re-elected this year as Member of Parliament for Burlington North-Milton West, before being named Secretary of State for Sport.
The 43-year-old is a four-time Olympic medallist, starting with a gold medal in the kayak single 500m at Athens 2004.
His gold medal in the Greek capital was Canada’s first Olympic victory in canoe and kayak in 20 years.
He also won bronze in the kayak single 1000m in Greece, Canada’s only double medallist at the Games, before adding a K1 500m silver medal at Beijing 2008 and a K1 1000m silver at London 2012.
A world champion and Pan American Games medallist, Van Koeverden finished his competitive career after finishing ninth in the K1 1000m at Rio 2016.
He was also Canada's Flagbearer at the Closing Ceremony in Athens and at the Opening Ceremony in Beijing.
In 2022, the Toronto native was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
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“Join us in congratulating Olympian and CKC Alumni Adam van Koeverden on his appointment as Secretary of State for Sport!” Canoe Kayak Canada wrote on Facebook.
“Adam knows firsthand the power of sport to unite, inspire, and drive change — and we’re thrilled to see his voice now representing Canadian athletes at the highest level.”
“We believe Secretary of State van Koeverden will bring an important voice to Parliament, understanding the role sport can play in addressing our pressing challenges and advocating for the needs of Canadian athletes at all levels to help strengthen the country’s sport system,” a joint statement from the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Canadian Olympic Committee read.
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