The man who led Calgary’s successful bid for the 1988 Winter Olympics has died.
Frank King served as the Calgary Olympic Development Association chairman in 1978 and was the chairman of the Calgary Organizing Committee.
His wife Jeanette told Global News King died suddenly and unexpectedly Wednesday while training at the Glencoe Club for a seniors’ track and field competition.
Greg Lundmark, CEO of the Glencoe Club, told Global News King was jogging on the jogging track and experienced a medical incident after his workout and passed out.
According to Lundmark, paramedics were called and King, who was conscious at the time, was transported to hospital shortly after.
“We are going to miss him. He was a really active part of the Glencoe Club… and he leaves such a big legacy of sport behind,” Lundmark said.
In a statement, the club expressed its condolences to King’s wife, family and friends, as well as the sporting community.
“Frank was an active member of the Glencoe Club and very well respected and well-liked by our members and staff. He left a legacy in sport as chair of the 1988 Olympics and will surely be dearly missed by all Calgarians,” the statement reads.
Bob Niven, who was a leading partner with King in bringing the games to Calgary, initially said King died of a heart attack, but later told Global News the King family has not confirmed that was the cause of his death.
King and Niven were both members of the Calgary Booster Club in 1978 when the club president asked if anyone was interested in bringing the Winter Olympics to the city.
“One night, the president came in and said, ‘Does anybody feel like bidding for the ’88 Games?’ Frank and I looked at each other and both smiled and stuck up our hands and that’s how it all began,” Niven remembered.
According to Niven, he and King would routinely get together to watch Olympic events, and if Calgary were to host the 2026 Winter Games, he knows King would be there watching with him.
“He will be there in spirit, you can absolutely count on it…. I’m going to miss him.”
“I’m going to really miss him.”
In addition to his work on the ’88 Olympics, King also worked with the bid committee that landed the 2010 Winter Olympics for Vancouver. He was also co-president of Canada’s 125th birthday celebration.
WATCH: Global News Morning Calgary’s Leslie Horton talks to Frank King.
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said he was “deeply saddened” to hear about King’s passing.
In a statement, Nenshi said he is “grateful to Frank for his friendship and advice,” adding King was incredibly generous with his time.
“Modern Calgary bears many of Frank’s fingerprints. His passion and selfless commitment to our city and Calgarians resulted in the sports and athletic legacy that has become an intrinsic part of who we are,” Nenshi said.
“He was a booster — in all the best sense of the word — and an inspiration. He understood the potential of our city and fought hard to make it a reality.”
WinSport and its staff also released a statement on King’s passing, offering their “deepest” condolences to his wife and their family.
“Frank meant so much to WinSport and the city of Calgary for his commitment and passion toward community and sport,” WinSport said in a statement.
“Frank is an inspiration to all of us and he will not be forgotten. He was a generous, humble leader who always looked to ensure that everyone he worked with grew and prospered. His efforts and passion have left an indelible mark on the city of Calgary.”
Among his many accolades, King received the Order of Canada in 1988, the Olympic Order in Gold from the International Olympic Committee in 1988, the Canadian Olympic Order in 1997, the Alberta Premier’s Order of Excellence (1981 and 1988), the Governor General’s 125 Medal (1992), and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. He was also a member of Alberta’s Sport Hall of Fame and served for many years as a director with the Calgary Booster Club.
King was 81.
With files from the Canadian Press.
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