April 14/18 22:17 pm - Former National Coach Des Dickie Passes Away

Posted by Editoress on 04/14/18
 

Former Canadian national track coach Emmanuel Desmond Dickie, known as 'Des' within the cycling community, passed away on Friday at the age of 72 at his home in Brampton, Ontario.

Dickie was born in Trinidad and Tobago and immigrated to Canada in the late 1960s. He began working as a track coach in the late 1970s and was national coach in the 1980s and 1990s, working with Curt Harnett, Canadian 3-time Olympic medalist. Harnett wrote on his Facebook page:

"A journey that started over 37 years ago with a simple handshake has come to an end. Desi, thank you for teaching me how to eat over-cooked liver and onions with proper pepper sauce, how to use our "nine lives" to their fullest and, well, how to apply Tudor Bumpa's "Periodization Training for Sports" to suit our needs."

"While life got in the way and we didn't see each other much in recent years, the journeys, memories and stories we shared from our humble beginnings live with me every day."

"RIP my man. Good luck on your next adventure."

Dickie left the Canadian Cycling Association in the mid-1990s after charges of sexual misconduct; charges of which he was acquitted, winning a wrongful dismissal suit against the CCA. He subsequently worked with USA Cycling and his native Trinidad and Tobago.

Visitation - 11:00 am - Noon, Wednesday, April 18th at Andrews Community Funeral Centre - 8190 Dixie Road, Brampton, ON, Canada (North of Steeles Avenue) 905-456-8190.

A funeral service will follow the visitation.

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