COC Athletes’ Commission announces four newly elected members and executive team
MONTREAL (June 4, 2026) – The Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission (COC AC) is pleased to welcome four elected members who will join the other nine Olympians on the volunteer commission.
- Cynthia Appiah (Bobsleigh)*
- Valérie Maltais (Long Track Speed Skating)
- Marion Thénault (Freestyle Skiing)
- Marielle Thompson (Ski Cross)*
* Re-elected members
The four members were elected following Milano Cortina 2026 by athletes named to Team Canada at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Following the election of the new members, there was an internal election for the COC AC executive committee roles. Maxwell Lattimer (Rowing) previously served as Vice-Chair and has now been elected to the role of Chair, while Oliver Scholfield (Field Hockey) has been elected as the new Vice-Chair.
“It is a tremendous honour to serve as Chair of the COC Athletes’ Commission and to continue advocating for Team Canada athletes alongside such a dedicated group of athlete leaders,” said Lattimer. “I also want to recognize the incredible leadership of outgoing Chair Phil Marquis and First Officer Mercedes Nicoll, whose commitment and impact have helped strengthen the Commission and set a strong foundation for our work ahead.”
The COC AC represents athletes on the COC Board of Directors. The role of the COC AC is to provide the athletes’ perspective on current or contemplated policies, programs and decisions of the COC impacting athletes, promoting and advocating the rights and interests of the athletes within the COC and the Canadian sport system, and acting as a link between the athlete population and the COC, among others. They collaborate closely with athlete representatives at the Canadian Paralympic Committee and AthletesCAN to advocate for the athlete voice within Canada’s sport system.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity to represent all of Team Canada’s athletes through the Athletes’ Commission,” added Scholfield. “At a time when the athlete’s voice is more powerful and influential than ever, it feels especially important to be advancing this type of work. I’m thankful to the COC and other sport leaders for continuing to listen and prioritize athletes’ lived experiences, and look forward to everything that is to come in this role. Thank you also to the outgoing members of the COC AC, Phil and Mercedes, for all of the time and efforts they dedicated to this group.”
Each elected member will serve a four-year term and join the existing AC representatives:
- Melissa Humana-Paredes (Beach Volleyball), Pan Am Sports Rep – Ex Officio
- Rachel Nicol (Swimming)
- Sydney Payne (Rowing)
- Jacqueline Simoneau (Artistic Swimming)
- Seyi Smith (Athletics & Bobsleigh), IOC AC Rep – Ex Officio
- Katie Vincent (Canoe-Kayak Sprint)
- Charity Williams (Rugby Sevens)
The COC would like to express its profound gratitude to the outgoing members for their unwavering dedication and contributions to the sport community, including the leadership and commitment demonstrated by Philippe Marquis (Freestyle Skiing), elected in 2018, and Mercedes Nicoll (Snowboard), elected in 2022.
Learn more about the COC Athletes’ Commission here.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Maxwell Lattimer, Chair
Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission
C: 604-764-5469
E: mlattimer@olympic.ca
Tara MacBournie, Program Manager, Sport Communications
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 647-522-8328
E: tmacbournie@olympic.ca