Paul Henderson | |
|---|---|
 Awarded the ISAF lifetime achievement | |
| Born | November 17, 1934 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Other names | The Pope of Sailing |
| Education | Engineering Degree from the University of Toronto |
| Occupation(s) | Retired Businessman of "RG Henderson and Son" |
| Known for | ISAF former president 1994-2004 |
| Predecessor | Peter Talberg |
| Successor | Göran Petersson |
| Awards | ISAF Beppe Croce 2005, Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame - Builder Category 2001, Ontario Sports Award - 2001, Rolex Sailor of the Year - Canada 1994, Councilor of Honour - Canadian Yachting Association, Honorary Commodore, Royal Canadian Yacht Club, MAFSI Foodservice Hall of Honour - 2002, Honorary Member St James Town Sailing Club and the Mimico Cruising Club - Ambassador of the Vintage Yachting Games |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sailing | ||
Representing  Canada
| ||
| World Championships | ||
 |
1959 | International 14 |
Paul Franklin Henderson (born 17 November 1934) is a former president of the International Sailing Federation, renamed since as World Sailing, and is a member of the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame.
Living on Toronto Island around boats and sailing Henderson learned the basics of the sport, as well as the values and importance of sport early in life. He became a very active competitor in sailing, winning medals at World, North American and National Championships. He has the record of having competed in all the Canadian Olympic Sailing Trials from 1948 to 1984. Henderson has represented Canada at three Olympic Games: 1964 Enochima in the Flying Dutchman, 1968 Acapulco in the Finn and at the 1972 Schilksee as coach.
Gold Medals
Silver Medal
Other Major Events
Henderson helped found the Water Rat Sailing Club in 1969[1] and the Outer Harbour Sailing Community, the Mooredale Sailing Club, the Outer Harbour Sailing and Catamaran Club, the St. Jamestown Sailing Club and the Hanlan Boat Club.
He was a member of the founding group that set up CORK (Canadian Olympic Regatta Kingston)
The first time Henderson represented Canada at the International Yacht Racing Union, was in 1970 to advise on the sailing venue for the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He stayed active for ISAF for over 30 years.
Henderson dedicated five years as a volunteer in his leadership of the Toronto Olympic Bid, to host the 1996 Olympic Games and was also consulted to the 2008 Olympic bid and to the 2010 Vancouver bid.
Henderson was elected President of the ISAF in 1994; the first non-European to ever hold this position.
He was on the IOC Sports and Environmental Commission and Women and Sport Commission. During his presidency sailing went from 18% women athletes in Atlanta 1996 to 35% in Athens 2004.
Henderson ran very successfully RG Henderson and Son, a well-known Restaurant maintenance and repair company.
Henderson is married to Mary. They have two children, John and Martha; the latter represented Canada in the 2008 Olympics as crew member on the Canadian Yngling.
