BIOGRAPHY

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.

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 as the school of Human Movement).

In the early seventies, Dr. Tehanyi 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.

COACHING HIGHLIGHTS

1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games – Assistant Coach Men’s team
1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games – Assistant Coach
– Alex Baumann Double Gold Medalist (200 & 400 IM)
1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games – Assistant Coach
1987 Pan Pacific Championships – Senior Coach
1994 Commonwealth Games, Victoria BC – Coach

AWARDS

Canadian Swimming Coach of the Year Awards
1979, 1981, 1983 & 1984
1990 OUA (Ontario University Association Coach of the Year)
1994 OWIAA Coach of the Year
12 provincial and National Awards of Excellence
2004 Inducted into Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame

• Swimming Canada Circle of Excellence Inductee - 2007
• Jeno Tihanyi Memorial Bursary
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