GEORGE ATHANS


George Athans' position as the first of a long line of top
competitive Canadian water skiers has been recognized in his own
country by the award of the Order of Canada and his induction into
the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. Now it is the turn of the
International Water Ski Federation to recognize the third man to
win two consecutive World Overall Championships.

George entered his first World Tournament in Sherbrooke in 1967 at
the age of only 15, placing well in slalom and tricks. With age,
his jumping improved until in 1971 he was able to overtake the
reigning men's overall champion, Mike Suyderhoud, by just 60 points
to become the first Canadian to win a gold medal in world
competition since Charlie Blackwell's slalom win in 1953. He
repeated this victory in 1973 in Bogota, winning with a substantial
150 point margin and picking up a gold medal in slalom at the same
time.

Since his retirement from competition, George has continued to
promote the sport as the co-author of a best-selling book on water
skiing and a frequent television commentator for the Canadian
Broadcasting System. He now owns his own television production
company in Montreal specializing in sports and entertainment
programming. At this moment, although he claims he would rather be
here, he is in Barbados working on a television series featuring
scantily-clad models in bathing suits.

I am pleased to announce the induction into the International Hall
of Fame of Canada's first internationally recognized water skier:
George Athans.