Thompson joined Skate Canada as chief executive in June 2013 and went onto develop a new strategic plan within his three years in the role.

The former swimmer is also credited with restructuring the organisation to make it more efficient and spearheading the development of Memorandum of Understandings with strategic partners such as Hockey Canada.

"We thank Dan for his contributions to Skate Canada and wish him every success in his future endeavours," a Skate Canada statement reads.

Thompson has had a successful marketing career, including in the 1990s working with the Canadian Figure Skating Association to create broadcast sponsorship packages with CTV and help develop the Champions Series of skating, which became the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, and launched the Champions on Ice tour.

He also served as President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, which is dedicated to helping youngsters participate in sport and recreation.

Thompson won two silver medals in the pool at the 1979 Pan American Games in Puerto Rico’s capital San Juan, in the 100 metres butterfly and 4x100m medley.

He was selected for Canada's team for the 1980 Olympics in Moscow but never competed due to the United States-led boycott over the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.

Figure skating has provided Canada a total of 25 medals, four of them gold, at the Winter Olympic Games.

The nation won three silvers at Sochi 2014, finishing runner-up in the team trophy, the men’s singles and ice dancing.

Patrick Chan, the men’s singles silver medallist, was part of the team trophy side along with the likes of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, the second-place finishers in ice dancing.