Q&A: Michael Chambers "Far from Hanging up the Cleats"

(ATR) As Michael Chambers leaves his post as president of the Canadian Olympic Committee this week, he tells Around the Rings he is "far from hanging up the cleats."

After serving two terms as COC president and overseeing the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, Chambers says he will remain a part of the Olympic Movement in and outside Canada.

On the international level, he is increasing his involvement in the Association of National Olympic Committees and the Pan American Sports Organization. Chambers retains his position as PASO vice president, and many consider him the favorite to succeed Mario Vazquez Rana in 2012 as PASO president.

In his last interview with Around the Rings in his capacity as COC president, Chambers ponders the future and reflects on his tenure as COC president including the success of Own the Podium. Below are highlightsfrom interview with ATR editor Ed Hula.

ATR: How did you get involved in the COC?

MC: I was appointed in 1984 by CanoeKayak Canada to be its representative on the board of the then Canadian Olympic Association. I came up through the club system to the national board of the canoe-kayak Canada to be put in a position to be appointed to that position.

I come from a canoe-kayak family. My dad was a long time very significant volunteer supporter of the canoe racing club in Ottawa, had been Canadian Champion in 1936, and was a key player in reestablishing the club after World War II. I kind of hung out with him in my childhood as he was out as with the canoe club volunteering his services and then as a teenage for a number of years. Although I wasn’t the Canadian champion or an Olympic team member, I was a canoe racing athlete nationally and for the club.

ATR: When did you realize you were going to become president of the Canadian Olympic Committee?

MC: When they counted the votes in the election. It was a very close election. I think I got something like 172 and my opponent got 149 (Doug Hamilton). It was very, very close election…

He (Doug) is a good man. Frankly, we didn’t really differ very much. We both were campaigning on the basis on getting Canada out from the shadow of 1988 and going after the win in our approach to Olympic sport and putting an strategy into an approach that would see that Canadian Athletes did win.

ATR: Has there been growth, development of the COC staff/operating structure since you took office?

MC: There have been significant fundamental changes in growth and structure of the Canadian Olympic sports system and that is what the establishment of Own the Podium or now Podium Canada now being part of it and recognition that if you want to win, you got play like you want to win.

Although it may not at times seem equitable you got to concentrate your resources. It is clear from independent technical analysis that the probability that the greatest success will follow indefinite resources in this or that place.

Prior to my presidency, it had been "let’s give everybody an equal share" whether they are successful with it or not. And I think things have turned around from that point to now. The Canadian sports system will give you resources but you show us first that if we give you those resources, you are going to be able to use them in a productive and results-oriented way with some return on that investment with success for Canada at the international and Olympic level.

ATR: Do you think Own the Podium demonstrated that with Vancouver?

MC: Absolutely. Unquestionably, we won our 14 gold medals and 26 medals in Vancouver because Own the Podium was established. There is NO question about that whatsoever. None.

ATR: Now what happens with London with Own the Podium?

MC: In London our goal is to be top-12 (in the medal count). We did have a significant improvement because of our summer component of Own the Podium, which was called Growth Excellence but now they are just all called Podium. It was a great contributor to increasing our medal count from the 12 in Athens to the 18 we got in Beijing. If that upward wind continues then it bodes well then we may well achieve our goal which is a tough one, although we only have to get back to where we were in Atlanta where I was Chef de Mission at or about the 22 medal count to be challenging for a top-12 position. It is not a place where we haven’t been before.

ATR: It has been an interesting run for you. Not often do you get to see an Olympic Games organizing from mid-stage to end like you have.

MC: Just imagine how much that is a part of me now. I was chair of the gymnastic evaluation commission back in 1998 when Vancouver, Calgary and Quebec City were all vying for the right to go after the Games. I go way back and I then was vice-chair of the bid committee, was co-chair of the transition committee- the committee from bid success to organizing committee— and then I was on the board of the organizing committee from start to finish. I took that train from its first stop to its last. What a ride.

ATR: How are thing looking for the upcoming PASO meeting in Merida, Mexico (May 5-10)?

MC: It is looking good. Everyone will be interested to hear from Guadalajara (site of 2011 Pan Am Games). That is the show that everyone wants to watch because the Games are only a year and a half away now. People are interested to know that things will be ready when we get there.

ATR: Are people worried about Guadalajara?

Guadalajara has been making good progress but it hasn’t been communicating a lot of its progress to its constituency and I think that is why people wonder what is going on. If I could offer them some advice, (it would be) speak up more about what you are doing. People are wondering what is going on and when you wonder what is going on, you conclude nothing is going on and that is not the case.

ATR: What about taking over as PASO president someday?

MC: I spoke to PASO President (Mario Vazquez Rana) today and he looks very healthy and comfortable in his seat at PASO… I wouldn’t consider it until that is something currently to consider.

You know I never pursued the presidency of the Canadian Olympic Committee. It is not my way. It is not my manner. I just like working and I like working in sport. I like contributing and if things happen as a result of that so be it. That is my approach.

Interview by Ed Hula.