(ATR) Eric Myles replaces Caroline Assalian as the acting chief sport officer of the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Assalian was one of three people fired, just five days after a damning report found widespread harassment and apathy had occurred inside the organization. Assalian, executive director of operations Judy Crute and human resources manager Robert Cousin were casualties stemming from the October resignation of Marcel Aubut, who was accused of sexual harassment.
A majority of those interviewed for a Jan. 13-released report by a Toronto human resources law firm claimed they were victims of harassment or bullying during Aubut’s administration since 2009. Yet, members of the senior leadership team were unable or unwilling to address the situations.
"I don’t think there will be any impact (to Rio preparations). We will make sure it won’t," COC spokesman Ricky Landry tells Around the Rings, adding that Carla Anderson, director of Games, is overseeing plans for the 2016 Olympics.
Landry said the other two positions remain vacant for the time being.
Tricia Smith, Aubut’s successor, apologized and vowed to adopt the recommendations of the report to make the COC a safe workplace. Smith said when the report was released that a search was ongoing for a senior human resources expert.
Myles was director general of Quebec en Forme, a public funded physical fitness and healthy living advocacy organization, from 2002 to 2014, when he joined the COC as executive director of sport, reporting to Assalian.
Assalian spent 25 years with the COC. She was executive director, Olympic preparation and Games, during Vancouver 2010 and promoted to executive managing director of sport and national sport federation relations in summer 2010.
Crute was executive director of finance and operations before Chris Overholt joined as CEO in 2011. Cousin joined COC in April 2011. He spent three years as the official languages advisor for VANOC from March 2007 to November 2010.
Written by Bob Mackin
Homepage photo: Getty
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