Brian Lewis Seeks to Modernize Olympism in Caribbean

(ATR) President of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees Brian Lewis says he wants to provide greater opportunities for youth in the Caribbean through sport.

"The global Olympic movement is facing a number of challenges and I believe CANOC can contribute in a positive way to the Olympic movement surmounting those challenges," Lewis tells Around the Rings in an exclusive interview.

Lewis was reelected as the CANOC president on Feb. 3 at a general assembly in Barranquilla, Colombia where he ran unopposed. There was some confusion regarding a candidature from former Dominican Republic NOC president Jose Puello, but it was determined the application was filed on his behalf by his NOC leaders who believed it was necessary for his candidature for president of the Pan American Sports Organization.

The president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee says he is honored to be confirmed as the president after serving on an interim basis when founding CANOC president Steve Stoute from Barbados stepped down in October 2016.

"Steve Stoute has made an awesome contribution as the founding president," Lewis tells ATR.

"His are big shoes to fill. I will be serving out his term of office which ends in October 2018 and look forward during this time to building on the strong foundation laid down by Mr. Stoute."

Lewis says he wants to unite the region and put forth a singular and influential voice in the Olympic Movement.

"A key objective is that CANOC will continue to be respected as thought leaders and a solution oriented group of sport leaders with a clear vision and clarity of purpose," he says. "And that CANOC will remain in the front line in the battle to transform, modernize and enhance the relevance of Olympism and the Olympic values to the contemporary youth and young people."

Lewis refrained from commenting on the current PASO presidential race between Puello, Brazilian Olympic Committee chief Carlos Nuzman, Chilean Olympic Committee president Neven Ilic, St. Vincent and the Grenadines secretary general Keith Joseph and St. Lucia NOC president Richard Peterkin.

ATR is told that candidates Nuzman, Puello and Joseph attended the assembly in Barranquilla following an invitation by PASO president Julio Maglione. Peterkin tells ATR he did not attend the meeting and intends to withdraw from the race at the PASO General Assembly in Punta del Este, Uruguay this April where Maglione’s successor will be chosen.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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