Rudge, who has been in the job since 2003, will officially step down on April 15.

He said: "They say timing is everything, and throughout my many careers I've always observed that it is important to know when to go.

"The past seven-plus years have been inspiring and were highlighted by an unforgettable Vancouver Games that are sure to leave an indelible mark on our national soul."

Rudge was a member of the Vancouver organising committee and is also on the Board of directors for the Pan American Games, which Toronto are hosting in 2015.

Michael Chambers, the President of the COC, said: "It has been a pleasure and a privilege for me to have had Chris as our CEO and secretary general over the course of seven of the nine years of my Presidency.

"I believe we were a great team, and we put in a good many miles together working for the betterment of sport in Canada."

The former executive of Quebecor, the world's largest commercial printer, employing 43,000 people at 160 plants in 16 countries in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia, was also chair of the Own the Podium steering committee for the last two years.

Canada went into the Vancouver Olympics having hosted the Games twice before - in Montreal in 1976 and Calgary in 1988 - but failed to win a gold medal on each occasion.

There were early fears that they were going to fail to meet the high expectations generated by the Own the Podium programme but they ended up being the most successful host country in the history of the Winter Olympics.

Canada won a total of 26 medals, including 14 gold - four more than Germany, their closest rival.

Rudge said: "Support for high performance sport in Canada has come a long way and our athletes no longer toil in obscurity.

"The Own the Podium program conferred upon us the right to debate whether we are capable of setting and pursuing audacious goals."

"To all the athletes, coaches and sport leaders I had the opportunity to meet and work with, many thanks for sharing your dreams and passions with Canada; you make us better."

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