The short history of Canadian referees at the FINA World Championships

The 19th FINA World Aquatic Championships are underway in Budapest, Hungary.

Thanks to the work of David Hart and Marie-Claude Deslières of the Canadian Water Polo Hall of Fame Committee, we can provide you with a short history of all the referees that also have represented Canada at the FINA World Championships through the years.

With the exception of the 1st-ever FINA Worlds event in Belgrade in 1973, Canadian referees have had a long and successful participation at these World Championships. Nine different Canadian referees have officiated at these FINA World events including the current one in Budapest.

Roy Gunell from Hamilton, a 2022 Canadian Water Polo Hall of Fame inductee, officiated at 6 World Championships: 1975 in Cali, 1978 in West Berlin, 1982 in Guayaquil, 1986 in Madrid, 1991 in Perth and 1994 in Rome.

Daniel Légaré from Ste-Foy also officiated at 6 World Championships: 1986 in Madrid, 1991 in Perth, 1994 in Rome, 1998 in Perth, 2001 in Fukuoka and 2003 in Barcelona.

The late Gaetan Turcotte from Ste-Foy officiated at 4 World Championships: 1998 in Perth, 2001 in Fukuoka, 2003 in Barcelona, 2007 in Melbourne and finally, Barcelona in 2009

Marie-Claude Deslieres from Montreal officiated at 3 World Championships: 2005 in Montreal, 2011 in Shanghai, 2019 in Guangiu.

Bill Vanderpol from Hamilton officiated at 3 World Championships: 1975 in Cali, 1978 in West Berlin and 1982 in Guayaquil.

Doriel Terpenka from Kitchener-Waterloo, Stephane Roy from Montreal and Mike Dykman from Calgary have each officiated at one World Championship:

Doriel Terpenka, 2013 in Barcelona

Stephane Roy, 2015 in Kazan

Mike Dykman, 2017 Budapest

Helene Painchaud is officiating at the current 19th FINA World Championship in Budapest.

You will recognise on the picture:

Top Row, Left to Right: Doriel Terpenka, Helene Painchaud, Bill Vanderpol

Middle Row, Left to Right: Mike Dykman, Daniel Légaré, Roy Gunell

Bottom Row, Left to Right: Marie-Claude Deslieres, Stéphane Roy, Gaetan Turcotte

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