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Les Gramantik

Athletics Builder- Inducted 2025

Les Gramantik, born in 1949 in Oradea, Romania, is a highly esteemed Athletics coach whose career spans over five decades and three countries. His profound impact on athletics in Alberta, Canada, and internationally is marked by his dedication to athlete development, coaching education, and leadership in the sport.

Early Life and Education

Les graduated from the University of Bucharest with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Education in 1971 and a Master's degree in Coaching Science in 1973. He began his coaching career in 1971 at the Sport School Oradea in Romania, where he developed junior national-level athletes.

International Coaching Career

In 1973, Les moved to Israel and served as the Coaching Coordinator at Macabi Haifa, coaching their national athletics team while continuing his own athletic pursuits. From 1975 to 1977, he resided in a refugee camp in Greece before immigrating to Calgary, Canada, in 1977.

Contributions in Canada

In Calgary, Les co-founded the University of Calgary track and field program in 1978 alongside John Cannon. As Head Coach from 1988 to 2005, he led the Calgary Dinos to 12 conference titles and five national championships. He was instrumental in developing the program into a powerhouse, earning Canada West Coach of the Year honours multiple times and being named CIAU Coach of the Year in 1991.

Les's commitment to coaching education began in 1979 when he became involved with Athletics Canada's coaching education program. He served as the Chairman of the College of Coaches until 1985, contributing significantly to the development of coaching curricula and the Long-Term Athlete Development Model for Athletics Canada.

National and International Leadership

Les's expertise led to his appointment as Head Coach for Athletics Canada at numerous international competitions, including:

  • Olympic Games: Head Coach in 2008; Team Coach in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2012
  • World Championships: Head Coach in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007; Staff Coach in 1987, 1995, 1997, 2013
  • Commonwealth Games: Head Coach in 2006, 2010; Staff Coach in multiple years from 1990 to 2018
  • Pan American Games: Head Coach in 2003, 2007, 2011

He also served as Director of Speed Power Programs for Athletics Canada from 2002 to 2013 and was the Coaching Director at the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary from 1999 to 2005.

Coaching Achievements

Les has coached numerous high-performance athletes who have achieved national and international success, including:

  • Michael Smith: Decathlete, Olympian in 1988, 1992, and 1996; Commonwealth Games gold medalist (1990, 1994); World Championships silver medalist (1991)
  • Jessica Zelinka: Heptathlete, Olympian in 2008 and 2012; Pan American Games gold medalist (2007)
  • Damian Warner: Decathlete, whom Les coached during key developmental years; Warner became an Olympic gold medalist in 2021 and World Indoor silver medalist in 2018
  • Georgette Reed: Shot putter, Olympian in 1992
  • Catherine Bond-Mills: Heptathlete, Olympian in 1996
  • Earle Connor: Para-athlete, whom Les coached to a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics and gold medals at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Paralympics in the T42 100m

Les's coaching philosophy emphasizes holistic athlete development, prioritizing health and well-being alongside performance.

Contributions to Coaching Education

As a master coach and educator, Les has been deeply involved in coaching education, lecturing at the University of Calgary from 1978 to 2005 and contributing to the development of coaching programs nationally and internationally. He wrote the coaching education curriculum for Athletics Canada and is a sought-after speaker at coaching symposiums.

Awards and Recognitions

Les's contributions have been recognized with numerous awards:

  • Coaching Association of Canada Coaching Excellence Award: 1995, 2000, 2018
  • George Gemer Coaching Award: 2000
  • Athletics Alberta High Performance Coach of the Year: Multiple years between 1989 and 2019
  • Canada West Coach of the Year: 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2005
  • CIAU Coach of the Year: 1991

Legacy and Impact

Les continues to serve on the Board of the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary, a position he has held since 1994. His influence extends beyond athletics; he has consulted for sports such as football, field hockey, artistic swimming, bobsleigh, professional golf, and speed skating, notably working with Olympic champion Catriona Le May Doan.

Respected globally, Les is regularly invited by World Athletics as an expert coach to mentor coaches worldwide. His dedication to athlete development, coaching education, and leadership has left an indelible mark on Canadian athletics and has contributed significantly to the success of athletes and coaches in Alberta and beyond.