Canadian figure skating pioneer David Dore dies at 75

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) - David Dore, the Canadian figure skating pioneer who headed the national program, has died. He was 75.

Skate Canada said Dore died Friday. It did not provide a cause of death.

Dore was the youngest president of the Canadian Figure Skating Association, now known as Skate Canada. He served as the first vice president of figure skating for the International Skating Union until his death.

"The skating community in Canada and around the world are extremely saddened by the passing of David," Skate Canada CEO Dan Thompson said. "He brought figure skating to a whole new level with his innovative and forward-thinking ideas; many practices that he implemented are still in use today. ... The sport has lost a true champion."

Dore is one of the most decorated administrators and volunteers in Canadian sport, and was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2002, he received the International Olympic Committee's highest honor, the Olympic Order, for his contribution to sport in the global community. In 2008, he was inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame as a builder.

During his 18-year tenure at Skate Canada he developed the national team program, created the Athlete Trust, developed successful marketing and television concepts and staged three highly successful ISU world figure skating championships.

Dore also was a national medalist, a world and Olympic level judge, and was involved locally at the club and section level.