Veteran sports administrator will support program until Milan Cortina 2026; search for permanent high performance leader to begin in Fall 2025

CALGARY, ALBERTA – Speed Skating Canada has appointed veteran sports administrator Simon Nathan as interim High Performance Director of the organization’s long track speed skating program, where he will be tasked with guiding the country’s top athletes and coaches through the final phase of preparations for Milan Cortina 2026.

A well-respected leader within the sport community, Nathan brings decades of experience to the governing body of Canada’s most successful Olympic sport. He was High Performance Director at Athletics Canada for seven years, where he played a key role in rebuilding the program following the 2016 Olympics in Rio, spearheading initiatives that helped Canada establish itself as a global force in athletics. He has also held leadership positions at Athletics Australia, UK Athletics and the Northern Ireland Athletics Federation.

“Simon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Speed Skating Canada. He is an exceptional leader, with a track record for delivering results on the international stage, and we’re excited to have him on-board to support our athletes and coaches for the remainder of this Olympic cycle. His deep understanding of the Canadian sport system and the challenges facing National Sport Organizations also make him the ideal candidate to help us shape the long-term future of the program, as we look to develop a comprehensive plan that will ensure the continued success of our program on and off the ice.”

Joe Morissette, Chief Executive Officer, Speed Skating Canada

As interim High Performance Director, Nathan’s primary focus will be on strengthening the culture of excellence within the long track program and ensuring the plans and resources are in place to optimize the team’s performance at Milan Cortina 2026. He will also contribute to the development of the high performance strategy for the 2030 Olympic quadrennial, which will have a special focus on the continued growth and improvement of our NextGen skaters.

While Nathan will lay the groundwork, Speed Skating Canada’s long-term vision is to launch a formal search for a permanent High Performance Director for the long track program in fall 2025, with the successful candidate taking over leadership responsibilities from Nathan following the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy.

“Long track speed skating in Canada is steeped in success, and so I’m honoured to have the opportunity to oversee the high performance program through to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. There are some outstanding athletes and coaches wearing the maple leaf, and I’m looking forward to helping them achieve great results in Milano Cortina. I’m also excited to help the program identify a permanent High Performance Director for the 2030 Olympic cycle to ensure that Canada’s long track success is in safe hands through to the French Alps Games and beyond.”

Simon Nathan, Director, High Performance – Long Track (Interim), Speed Skating Canada

A native of the United Kingdom, Nathan will officially begin his role on March 1 and remain involved through April 2026 and the conclusion of the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina.

Winners of 42 Olympic and over 150 World Championship medals, Canada’s long track team has long held a place among the world’s elite. Training out of the Olympic Oval in Calgary and the Centre de glaces Intact Assurance in Quebec City, the national high performance program is focused on developing Canada’s top skaters – present and future.