(ATR) Four-time Olympic rower Tricia Smith will remain at the head of the Canadian Olympic Committee after taking over in an interim basis in October.
Smith was chosen by 74 members of the COC to keep the position, defeating coach and lawyer Peter Lawless of Victoria.
"I feel enormously privileged and grateful that our sport community has entrusted me today with the leadership of the COC," Smith said following the election.
Fellow Olympian and COC executive board member Charmaine Crooks tells Around the Rings having a former athlete at the helm brings the organization "a fresh perspective".
"From an athletes' point of view, I think she's well-rounded and has a deep knowledge of sport," Crooks tells ATR.
"Tricia is a great role model for what athletes can bring to the table after they leave competition."
This is the second time Smith has run for the office, losing to Marcel Aubut in her first attempt in 2009. Smith would serve as vice president until taking over the reins of the organization when Aubut stepped down in October amid sexual harassment claims.
Aubut stepped down when a co-worker complained about his inappropriate behavior, an accusation that opened the door for more women to come forward with their own allegations of sexual harassment.
The original complaint was withdrawn following Aubut’s resignation, yet an investigation is ongoing into the other claims against him.
Smith made it clear she was up for the challenge of righting the ship and directly addressed the organization’s troubled past.
"I will be a champion for creating a safe and inclusive environment for our employees and all those involved in the Olympic Movement in this country," Smith said.
"I will be a tireless advocate for unity, inclusiveness and collaboration with our many partners," she added.
The Olympic silver medalist and seven-time world rowing champion is now tasked with preparing Team Canada for the Olympics next August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
"Political Meddling" May Result in Olympic Ban for Mexico
A dispute between the Mexican government and the Mexico Olympic Committee could result in the country being barred from the Rio 2016 Olympics.
The two parties disagree on how public money should be spent in regards to sport and how the athletes should be chosen for the Games. The Mexican Olympic Committee and the national sports commission are each blaming the other party as the case makes its way to the IOC. It is up to the IOC to determine whether to suspend the Mexican NOC over political interference.
Mexican Olympic CommitteePresidentCarlos Padilla says the national sports commission has taken a closer look at the finances for each federation, suggested replacing federation managers and submitted recommendations for which athletes should compete in the Games.
The MOC says these actions stem from false claims that the national sports commission is trying to "root out corruption". Padilla says the government interference is a direct violation of the Olympic Charter that prohibits government interference.
"If interference is proved, a necessary and harsh sanction will come on Mexico," said Padilla. "It can go from a warning, a public reprimand, to disqualification, like it did for Kuwait."
If the Mexican Olympic Committee were disqualified, Mexican athletes who win medals at the Games would see the IOC flag raised and hear the Olympic anthem, not their country’s.
Four-time national decathlon champion Roman Garibay says competing under the IOC flag would "not be the same".
"If I imagine standing there saluting a white flag and listening to the IOC’s anthem instead of mine, well, it would put me down," said Garibay.
Head of the national sports commission Alfredo Castillo says the commission will "fix" any issues and the dispute will be settled.
"Mexico is under no minimal risk of being disqualified, and we will participate in the Olympics," said Castillo.
The IOC could rule on the case as early as December. If the IOC chooses to bar Mexico from the Games, the country could make necessary changes in time to be reinstated before the Olympics begin in August.
El Salvador Opens First Olympic House
On Thursday, Nov. 19 the El Salvador Olympic Committee (ESA) unveiled the country’s first Olympic House.
"This day we inaugurate the First Olympic House in El Salvador. The goal is to spread Olympism, create dreams and to raise the level of sports competition," said ESA president Eduardo Palomo.
The Municipal Olympic Club is located in the municipality of Soyapango and will coordinate with other municipalities in El Salvador to spread the values of sport to the youth of the country.
The aim is to provide children a safe space to promote Olympic values and sporting practices.
"This is the first club of others which have come through the Project for the Prevention of Crime and Violence Diploma in values through sport by the Salvadorian Olympic Academy, the educational arm of ESA," said project coordinator Ana Patricia Ruiz.
Written by KevinNutley
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