Richmond’s athletics community is in mourning this week after the sad passing of one of its pillars, Kim Young.
Young – who has been with Richmond’s Kajaks Track and Field Club since 1965 – was the co-founder of the much-loved BC elementary track and field school championships in 1968.
He then went on to become Team Canada Coach at the 1979 and 1982 Pan Pacific Games.
Young coached hundreds of young, aspiring athletes, many of whom were Olympians and he was inducted into the B.C. Hall of Fame as a coach in 2008.
Athletics Canada announced Young’s death on its website, saying that it was “deeply saddened to hear about the passing” of the “lifelong athletics supporter.”
Fellow hall of famer and Olympian, Doug Clement, said that Young “made a lifelong endeavour to improve the opportunities for Canadian youth through his devotion to his calling in education as a teacher, administrator and coach.
“The track and field movement in Canada has lost an individual whose lifelong contribution cannot be matched."
Young also served as director of Athletics Canada, president of BC Athletics, and chair of the prestigious international meet, the Harry Jerome Classic.
