Leading up to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, the Leader-Post is doing a series of profiles on participants with ties to Regina. The series begins today with two stories - on Regina mayor Pat Fiacco (boxing) and Regina-born soccer player Kelly Parker.
In the days ahead, we will profile track and field coach Carla Nicholls (Tuesday's paper), United States sailing meteorologist Doug Charko (Wednesday), rower Rachelle Viinberg (Thursday) and diver Reuben Ross (Friday).
. . . .
In 1974, Pat Fiacco first climbed the stairs at the Regina Boxing Club - never imagining the ascent that awaited him.
Fiacco eventually became a national boxing champion. When he threw his hat into a ring of a different sort, he was elected as the mayor of Regina for the first of four terms. And now, boxing is his ticket to the Olympics for the second time.
"As soon as I walked up those stairs at the Regina Boxing Club at the Laird Gym, I fell in love with the place, and everything changed,'' reflects Fiacco, who is in London for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
"When I walked into the gym in March of 1974, I had no idea that this is where this sport would take me and that this would be the life path as a result of it. There's no doubt that if it wasn't for this sport, there's no way I'd be who I am today. That is a guarantee.''
Fiacco was introduced to boxing by a schoolmate, Glen Pelletier, who casually said: "I'm going to the boxing club. Want to come with me?'' Fiacco promptly sought and received permission from his parents. The boxing club soon became a second home.
As an amateur boxer, Fiacco was among Canada's best in the 54-kilogram division. He was on the precipice of making the Olympic team - the major impediment being Dale Walters. In the 54kg class, Walters nosed out Fiacco for a spot on the 1980 Olympic team, only to have Canada join the boycott of the Moscow-based Games.
Four years later, when the Olympics were held in Los Angeles, Walters finally wore Canada's colours in the ring at the world's premier sporting event. Walters also won a bronze medal, becoming the first Canadian to reach the podium in Olympic boxing in 52 years. Fiacco had retired as an amateur athlete the previous year, opting instead to get married while remaining involved in his favourite sport as a referee.
It was in that capacity that Fiacco finally made the Olympics. He was a referee and judge at the 2004 Games in Athens and has now returned to the five-ring circus in an administrative capacity.
In April, the International Boxing Association appointed Fiacco as the deputy technical delegate for the London Games.
He is assisting the technical delegate, Franco Falcinelli of Italy, in overseeing every aspect of the boxing competition.
Fiacco, who is the president of the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association, is the first Canadian to serve as the deputy technical delegate at an Olympic Games.
"It was incredible going there as a referee and judge back in 2004, but to go in there as one of the two guys who are in charge of the whole thing is big,'' says Fiacco, 50. "We have to pay attention to everything that's happening in the field of play. We have to make sure that there's no outside interference. It's pretty incredible.''
Fiacco has also been appointed the technical delegate for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. He already has experience at events such as the Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games and world championships, not to mention the Olympics, in officiating or administrative roles.
"I've been very fortunate,'' Fiacco says. "It wasn't meant for me to be the centre of attention in a boxing ring. That wasn't what the plan was for me. There was another role for me. You need to know when to understand that, and when to recognize it.
"We all have different skill sets. It's no different than hockey. The best hockey player on the ice doesn't exactly make the best coach. We all have different roles. We have a passion for the sport and we understand it, but there's different positions for us.
"My calling in the sport of boxing was obviously to start off as a competitor. I had the fortune of winning a national championship, but there was another role for me, and that was as an administrator, as an official, and now in this role as a technical delegate, ensuring that we have everything ready for this Olympic Games.''
By the time the Games conclude, Fiacco will have been in London for a month. Upon returning to Regina, he will complete his final term as the mayor - he is not running for re-election on Oct. 24 - and marvel at a landmark summer.
Fiacco was front and centre when it was announced that a $278-million football stadium is to be constructed at Evraz Place. Three days after the July 14 announcement, Fiacco flew to London. The Olympics' opening ceremonies are to be held Friday.
"It is pretty remarkable,'' Fiacco says when asked about an eventful few weeks in his life. "There's no question that July of 2012 will be remembered for a long time.''
So will March of 1974.
"I've been very fortunate,'' Fiacco says. "It wasn't meant for me to be the centre of attention in a boxing ring. That wasn't what the plan was for me. There was another role for me. You need to know when to understand that, and when to recognize it.
"We all have different skill sets. It's no different than hockey. The best hockey player on the ice doesn't exactly make the best coach. We all have different roles. We have a passion for the sport and we understand it, but there's different positions for us.
"My calling in the sport of boxing was obviously to start off as a competitor. I had the fortune of winning a national championship, but there was another role for me, and that was as an administrator, as an official, and now in this role as a technical delegate, ensuring that we have everything ready for this Olympic Games.''
By the time the Games conclude, Fiacco will have been in London for a month. Upon returning to Regina, he will complete his final term as the mayor - he is not running for re-election on Oct. 24 - and marvel at a landmark summer.
Fiacco was front and centre when it was announced that a $278-million football stadium is to be constructed at Evraz Place. Three days after the July 14 announcement, Fiacco flew to London. The Olympics' opening ceremonies are to be held Friday.
"It is pretty remarkable,'' Fiacco says when asked about an eventful few weeks in his life. "There's no question that July of 2012 will be remembered for a long time.''
So will March of 1974.
Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/Boxing+ring+Olympic+rings/6973520/story.html#ixzz21QQ6DUH2
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