Grad Lou Lukanovich honoured by Canoë Kayak Québec more than 60 years after first Olympics appearance

Kršimir “Lou” Lukanovich, BSc 61, immigrated to Canada from his birthplace of Zagreb, Croatia in 1951.  

As a canoe-kayak Olympian, director of the Canadian and Quebec Canoe Association, founder of a successful computer-systems consultancy and manufacturer of canoe and kayak equipment, Lukanovich’s numerous achievements have since been recognized many times over by his adopted country.

The graduate of Sir George Williams University — one of Concordia’s two founding institutions — has been inducted into the Order of Canada, received three Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medals and, most recently, was honoured by Canoë Kayak Québec.

At a special ceremony held this past June, the provincial organization unveiled a trophy in Lukanovich’s name that will be awarded annually at the national canoe-kayak championships.

Now in his 90s, Lukanovich says that the honour is in part a tribute to his creative and innovative approach to the sport, whether as a participant or a coach.

“You can’t learn everything from a book,” he says. “I developed a system of learning from others — other coaches in particular — and invented some things of my own.

“I’m so grateful to now be recognized for my contributions to the sport.”

The road to the Olympics

In 1950, Lukanovich paddled at the International Canoe Federation World Championships in Denmark, where his team placed fourth in the K4 event.

While training with the Yugoslav kayak slalom team in Austria the next year, he sought political asylum in Canada.

Settling in Ontario, he spent three years working various jobs — including mining in the Sudbury area — saving enough money to pursue a degree in electronic technology at Ryerson University in Toronto (now Metropolitan University).

Unable to find a suitable paddling partner in Sudbury, he began training with Alan McCleery of the Grand Trunk Boating Club in Montreal. They qualified for the 1956 Summer Games in Melbourne, Australia.

“We won the trials but didn’t make the team,” recalls Lukanovich. “The Olympics were held in November and December that year, because of summer in the Southern Hemisphere, and I was 10 days shy of getting my Canadian citizenship.”

Determined to compete in the next Games, Lukanovich moved to Montreal to train with McCleery.

His employer at the time, Bell, also encouraged him to go back to school to further his education.

“They needed tech-savvy people like me with hands-on experience,” says Lukanovich, “I was already doing the job — I just needed the piece of paper.”

Sir George Williams offered night courses, appealing to mature students seeking to advance their careers.

Lukanovich eventually obtained his BSc in 1960, the same year he and his wife Jean became parents. He also realized his Olympic dream that year, competing at the Summer Games in Rome with McCleery.

Coach Lou