March 5, 2007
Alex Baumann with Jeno Tihanyi
Ottawa, ON – The swimming community mourns the loss of world renowned swimming coach Dr. Jeno “Doc” Tihanyi. Doc lost his courageous battle of cancer on Sunday, March 4, 2007 in Sudbury, ON.
Born in Hungary in 1936, Dr. Tihanyi’s interest in child development and physiology introduced him to swimming. He began his coaching career in 1964 with the Vancouver Amateur Swim Club. In 1974, Doc joined Laurentian as Head Coach, starting the Laurentian Aqua Vees Varsity Swim Team. By 1979, Jeno was part of the coaching staff for team Canada, participating in Tour Teams, the Pan Pacific Championships, and the Commonwealth Games.
Dr. Tihanyi earned his doctorate at the University of Alberta and he was a professor in Child Physiology and Development at Laurentian University in Sudbury. He was the director of the division of Physical Education from 1993-1996 (now known at the school of Human Movement).
In the early seventies, Dr. Tihanyi began coaching Alex Baumann when this prodigy was only nine years old. Alex Baumann is the greatest Canadian swimmer of all time, winning two gold medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles by shattering two world and Olympic records in the 400 metre and 200 metre individual medley. From 1981 to 1986, Baumann held 17 world records. Dr. Tihanyi’s career in coaching spans over 30 years, fourteen of which were with Alex Baumann.
Doc’s coaching achievements include 17 World Records. He has been named Canadian Swim Coach of the Year four times and he holds 12 provincial and National Awards of Excellence. During his time at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Jeno was the OUA (Ontario University Association) Coach of the Year in 1990, OWIAA Coach of the Year in 1994.
In 2004, Dr. Tihanyi was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of fame, making him the fourth coach ever to receive such an honour.
Swimming Canada would like to offer its condolences to Doc’s Family, Friends and colleagues.
Memorial service was at 2 PM at the Fraser Auditorium (Laurentian University) on the Friday March 9th.