Former artistic swimmer named Canada’s first sport integrity commissioner
MONTREAL –
Former creative swimmer Sarah-Eve Pelletier has been tasked with overseeing the central hub of Canada’s new protected sport program.
The Sport Dispute Decision Centre of Canada introduced Tuesday that Pelletier will function the nation’s first sport integrity commissioner, main the workplace that can obtain complaints about alleged maltreatment in sport.
The workplace will even launch unbiased investigations and advocate sanctions towards people who’re discovered to have dedicated violations.
Pelletier is a former member of Canada’s creative swim staff and beforehand labored for the Canadian Olympic Committee. She can be a member of the Quebec Bar and an accredited civil mediator.
“There may be merely no place in sport for maltreatment of any variety,” Pelletier mentioned in an announcement. “Via concerted efforts on all fronts, utilizing a people-centred strategy, we will make sport a protected and welcoming place for everybody concerned.”
The appointment follows latest calls from athletes throughout the nation for extra to be achieved to deal with abuse and harassment in sports activities.
Greater than 300 present and former gymnasts have signed an open letter to Sport Canada calling for an unbiased investigation into the poisonous tradition of their sport.
An identical letter signed by greater than 90 athletes known as for the resignation of Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton’s performing CEO and excessive efficiency director.
Canada’s Sport Minister Pascale St-Onge mentioned final week {that a} new mechanism for reporting maltreatment in sport could be carried out quickly.
In an announcement Tuesday, St-Onge mentioned Pelletier’s choice is a “important step” in making a sport system freed from harassment, abuse, discrimination and maltreatment.
“We should construct an strategy that works for and with athletes,” the assertion mentioned. “As Minister of Sport, it’s my intention to make this unbiased mechanism obligatory for all federally-funded nationwide sport organizations.”
St-Onge mentioned within the 5 months since was appointed Sport Minister, allegations of both maltreatment, sexual abuse or misuse of funds have been levelled towards not less than eight nationwide sport organizations.
