The 73-year-old takes his place in the "builder" category which recognises someone who has given distinguished service and has made a major contribution to the development and advancement of curling internationally.

Hansen has been honoured for "influential contributions" to curling for more than 50 years, the WCF said.

He worked with Ray Kingsmith in producing and presenting a proposal to the 1988 Winter Olympic Committee that resulted in curling being accepted as a demonstration sport at the Games that year in Calgary.

That was a key step for curling's Olympic ambitions, with the sport eventually becoming a full medal event at Nagano in 1998.

He also developed many of the umpiring procedures used today and established coaching, officiating and ice making guides.

Among his innovations are holding events in large ice hockey arenas and the now common occurrence of four sheets being in use simultaneously at major Championships.

Hansen was inducted at the World Men's Championships in Basel, Switzerland, this month.

"To be inducted into the World Curling Hall of Fame is the greatest honour that could ever be bestowed upon anyone in the curling world," he said.

"I'm extremely proud to stand beside the other 15 Canadians who were previously inducted.”

WCF President Kate Caithness added: "His total dedication to the development of our sport, in Canada and worldwide, is one reason curling is in such good health today.

"Many of the major milestones we have reached in our sport, such as curling joining the Olympic Movement, Warren, somewhere along the way, has been involved.”

This is the fifth year the WCF has accepted Hall of Fame nominations.

Sweden's former world champion Elisabeth Högström will be inducted in the "curler" category at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Karlstad, which begin on Saturday (April 16).

Franco Zumofen of Italy will be inducted as a builder at the summer bonspiel in Cortina.