EMIL DIMITROV

Emil Dimitrov
National Development Coach

Emil attended the National Sports Academy (Higher Institute of Physical Culture) in his native Bulgaria and emigrated to Canada in the early 1990’s. He graduated from the Academy in 1986 with a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education with emphasis on swimming.

From 1988 - 1990 he was the Assistant Manager for the National Research Centre of Sport Sciences – Swimming Sector in Sofia, Bulgaria. Emil analyzed and developed programs, workouts, swim technique and recovery for swimmers on the National Squad, he provided methodological support to National Team coaches, researched, collected, and processed video data from major swimming events, designed and implemented starting blocks for testing high performance swimmers and was involved in the design and creation of new testing equipment.

Emil developed:
- Two time National Champion - Jennifer Porenta
- National finalist – Kristin McIlroy
- 8 Ontario Provincial champions.

Emil is a multitalented athlete in his own right having represented Bulgaria in swimming (Balkan Games 1974, 1975,1977,1978/and Junior European Championships in 1975), modern pentathlon (World Championships 1981,1982,1987/Goodwill Games 1986/European Championships 1985), and fencing. He missed the 1984 Olympics for modern pentathlon due to the “eastern block” boycott. After 2 years working at the National Research Center of Aquatic Sports Emil left for Canada in 1990. He was hired by the Milton Marlins in 1992 and has transformed a recreational swim club into a provincial powerhouse. He received the 2003 Swimming Canada Gold Medal Award for Swim Team of the Year.