Toronto Hopes to Exceed Language Expectations -- NOCs News

Toronto 2015 says it will meet all official language requirements for the government, and it hopes to surpass the requirements.

Louise Gauvreau, senior manager of official languages for Toronto 2015, was responding to a report in the CBC that Canada’s ministry of heritage said there is a "risk" the Games might not have enough French content. French is one of Canada’s two official languages.

Speaking to Around the Rings, Gauvreau pointed out the memo was from last year, and that the Department of Canadian Heritage has worked closely with her to create TO2015’s language policy.

"They’ve been extremely encouraging and supportive," she said, and has ongoing discussions to "update" the policy as needed.

TO2015, Gauvreau said, wants "to make sure the experience for the public is really a tri-lingual experience, and a true, lively, fun experience that involves those different communities."

In a statement to ATR, the Department of Canadian Heritage said, "We believe TO2015 is taking all the appropriate measures to meet its official languages requirement and we are working with them to ensure it continues through the games."

Then added: "Although some concerns were raised regarding TO2015 budget forecasts, it is the view of the government of Canada that TO2015 is undertaking a number of proactive measure to ensure the respect of its OL requirements, including creating collaborative relationships with key stakeholders."

Gauvreau added that to help TO2015 exceed the language expectations, the organizing committee has conducted outreach to communities throughout Canada and has a team of ambassadors serving as "eyes and ears" for Gauvreau on language policy issues.

Prosecutor Drops Case Against Italian Federation

A case involving CONI, Italy’s Olympic Committee, and Federnuoto, the Italian aquatics federation, has been dropped by Rome’s public prosecutor.

Defendants claim there were fraudulent invoices from Federnuoto involving the maintenance of the Foro Italico pool. Allegations say there were some $1.14 million in questionable invoices.

The pool is owned by Coni Servizi, the operating company ofCONI. CONI was one of many parties filing the case against the federation.

However, Roberto Fellici said earlier this week that he would not pursue the case, saying he could find no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

In a statement posted on its website, CONI "takes note of the request for dismissal" from Fellici "confirming the accuracy of the procedure followed as a necessary act in the exercise of its role of overseeing the sports federations."

Written by Ed Hula III

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