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John Furlong

Vancouver, BC, Canada

CEO Vancouver 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games

John Furlong is the leader behind the team that organized and staged the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. From the very beginning of the project, Furlong envisioned that the Games could be a true nation builder, helping to improve the fabric of Canadian society. IOC President Jacques Rogge remarked in a Canadian Press interview at how Vancouver had taken on the Games in a way that was “unheard of in the Olympic movement,” and considered them as belonging to all of Canada, was not surprised that the Games had become a catalyst for national unity.

TEDxSFU John Furlong

John Furlong's Vision for an Olympic Legacy

Performance & Productivity Sports & Adventurers Event Theme Ideas Motivation & Inspiration

In the News

John Furlong in the media January 1, 2024

Keynote Speeches

The Vision That Changed A Nation

John Furlong’s keynote speeches can move you to tears, while inspiring you to reach higher, challenge traditional thinking and dig deeper to achieve your own goals.

Known for his masterful storytelling and innovative leadership style, he continues to inspire, regaling audiences with the many remarkable and fascinating untold stories behind the Games. He is one of the longest serving leaders in Olympic history. John Furlong continues to bring the same level of passion & focus to each keynote address, working hard to craft a speech that will resonate with each audience. Following a pre-event telephone briefing, John will carefully select the most powerful stories to illustrate the lessons learned throughout his incredible ten year Olympic Journey.

Whether your goal is to better understand the importance of a compelling vision, finding the courage to stay the course in times of adversity, values based leadership, effective teambuilding, community engagement, deeper partnerships, understanding sustainability, crisis management, or you simply wish to gain a glimpse behind the Games to hear some of the remarkably inspiring human stories, you can be certain that John Furlong will has the depth of material and speaking skills to powerfully connect with your group.

Audience reviews:

I have had the pleasure over my 20 year career of hearing and hiring many great speakers, but John Furlong stands out as one of the best. His message was outstanding and his passion is absolutely incredible. He is truly an inspiring individual and I would put my personal guarantee on it that an audience would not be disappointed no matter what part of the world you are from.

- Assistant Vice-President, Corporate Meetings, Travel & Incentives Investors Group Financial Services
The Games have elevated Canada on the world stage. Mark my words, some day historians will look back at Canada's growing strength in the 21st century and they will say that it all began right here, on the West Coast, with the best Winter Olympic Games the world has ever seen.

- Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Expectations were high, but John hit this way beyond expectations. This is not a group of people who get often to their feet...and many were in tears. It was perfect!

- McCarthy Tetrault
A very inspiring and touching talk by Mr. Furlong - A great ambassador for Canada.

- Manager, Political/Economic and Public Affairs, Canadian Consulate General
John’s speech truly touched our group. His words were both moving and motivational. I believe history will show John to be one of our most inspirational leaders and the most passionate Canadians of our time.

- Terasen Gas, Director, Community, Aboriginal & Government Relations
John Furlong inspired us all with his eloquent address and has reinforced the purpose and importance of our organisation. He has definitely raised the bar for our next event.

- Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians

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Speaker Books

Patriot Hearts: Inside the Olympics That Changed a Country

Patriot Hearts: Inside the Olympics That Changed a...

Speaker Biography

John Furlong is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, business leader and author. He was the visionary behind the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games – delivering one of the most successful Olympic Games in history.

A masterful storyteller, John inspires audiences around the globe with powerful messages of values-based leadership, teamwork and the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity.

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John Furlong has been described as a sports hero, a nation builder and the ultimate crisis manager. He is best known as the man who created the vision and led the team that organized the highly successful Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, and is one of the longest serving leaders in Olympic history.

Furlong, together with Jack Poole, led the 2010 Winter Games from the beginning of the bid through to the closing ceremonies. Relentless in his pursuit to deliver a Games that would touch every Canadian, he became the face and voice of the Games that would change the country forever.

He continues to draw on his business acumen and commitment to sport in Canada as the Chairman of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Armstrong Group, volunteer Chairman of the Own the Podium Program and Chairman of Vancouver’s highly successful Rugby Sevens Tournament. He also serves on the Board of Directors for a number of other corporations and charitable organizations.

Always a passionate ambassador for Canada, Furlong has been recognized with numerous awards and honours including the Order of Canada; Order of British Columbia; Canadian of the year, Marketer of the Year and Sport Executive of the Year. He was also voted one of the top 25 most transformational Canadians alive.