COC Athletes’ Commission announces six newly elected members and executive team
TORONTO (October 24, 2024) – The Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission (COC AC) is pleased to welcome six elected members who will join the other eight Olympians on the volunteer commission.
- Maxwell Lattimer (Rowing)*
- Sydney Payne (Rowing)
- Oliver Scholfield (Field Hockey)
- Jacqueline Simoneau (Artistic Swimming)*
- Katie Vincent (Canoe/Kayak Sprint)
- Charity Williams (Rugby Sevens)
* Re-elected members
The six members were elected following Paris 2024 by athletes named to Team Canada at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games and/or the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Following the election of the new members, there was an internal election for the executive committee roles. Philippe Marquis previously served as First Officer and has now been elected to the role of Chair, while Maxwell Lattimer has been elected as the new Vice-Chair of the COC AC.
‘’Looking down the history line, the COC Athletes’ Commission has been a trailblazer building important relations with key sport and athlete stakeholders. I feel grateful to have joined this engaged group in 2018 and can’t wait to continue the great work in this new leadership role,’’ said Marquis. ‘’We are also thrilled to welcome newly elected summer athletes to our group and want to extend our most sincere thanks to outgoing members!’’
The COC AC represents athletes on the COC Board of Directors. Its priorities include strengthening athlete connections, sport system and culture development, creating partnerships and financial opportunity, sustainability and Games planning. The members advocate for athletes’ perspectives on athletes’ rights, policy decision-making, funding strategies, and other key issues. They collaborate closely with athlete representatives at the Canadian Paralympic Committee and AthletesCAN to advocate for the athlete voice within Canada’s sport system.
“It is an incredible privilege to serve Canadian athletes on the Commission. We are lucky to have an amazing group of passionate and engaged athlete leaders who each bring their unique experience and expertise that will help to advance athlete interests within our sporting community,’’ added Lattimer. “We want to say a massive thank you to our outgoing members, Rosie MacLennan, Inaki Gomez, Martha McCabe and Quinn. It has been a pleasure to work with and learn from their leadership.”
Each elected member will serve a four-year term and join the existing AC representatives:
- Cynthia Appiah (Bobsleigh)
- Melissa Humana-Paredes (Beach Volleyball), Pan Am Sports Rep – ExOfficio
- Philippe Marquis (Freestyle Skiing), Chair
- Rachel Nicol (Swimming)
- Mercedes Nicoll (Snowboard)
- Joseph Polossifakis (Fencing)
- Seyi Smith (Athletics & Bobsleigh), IOC AC Rep – ExOfficio
- Marielle Thompson (Ski Cross)
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 Rosie MacLennan and Inaki Gomez who served as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively.
- Inaki Gomez (Athletics), Vice-Chair – Elected in 2016
- Martha McCabe (Swimming) – Elected in 2016
- Rosie MacLennan (Gymnastics – Trampoline), Chair – Elected in 2016
- Quinn (Soccer) – Elected in 2021
Learn more about the COC Athletes’ Commission here.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Philippe Marquis, Chair
Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission
C: 418-932-8289
E: pmarquis@olympic.ca
Arianne Cloux, Coordinator, Communications
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 514-606-2441
E: acloux@olympic.ca