Perdita chosen by peers to Athletes' Council

Local feature on my election to the COC Athlete's Council

Source: newsdurhamregion.com
Posted Online: September 18, 2008
By Line: Al Rivett

Pickering hurdler, Olympian to begin four-year term this fall
PICKERING -- Pickering hurdler and two-time world champion Perdita Felicien will be doing more than just competing within the Canadian Olympic movement.

Felicien was one of six accomplished athletes - including four medallists from the Beijing Games - elected by their peers to the Canadian Olympic Committee's Athletes' Council, an internal advisory body designed to give athletes a voice on the COC executive committee and board of directors. The elections were held following the Games last month.

The two-time Olympian considers it an absolute honour to represent her peers on the committee.

"The committee's not just there to be there; you really can have changes and that's why I submitted my name," said Felicien, 28. "It's an awesome responsibility...an opportunity to give back. We're going to try and make it better for generations to come."

Also elected to the committee were rower Iain Brambell (2008 bronze medallist), rower David Calder (silver), rower Adam Kreek (gold), kayaker Adam van Koeverden (silver), and swimmer Rick Say.

The six summer athletes elected this year came from a pool of 11 candidates. Summer athletes from Canada were encouraged to run as candidates for the Athletes' Council. To be eligible, candidates must have competed at either the 2008 or 2004 Olympic Games, or have competed at the 2007 Pan American Games.

For her four-year term on the committee, Felicien says she and other committee members will serve as liaisons between athletes and the Canadian Olympic Committee.

Among the issues she suspects the committee will address over its four-year tenure is increasing the level of funding for athletes. She also mentioned the criteria for selection of athletes by the various sports bodies in Canada to the Olympics as another issue.

In terms of funding, Felicien says the recent spike in funding for Olympic sports, as well as the new process of awarding of money for medals, will be good for Canadian Olympic athletes, and should produce medal-winning results in the near and long term.

"We're going to see the benefits of these things in London (in 2012)," she said.

Felicien said she decided to let her name stand for nomination after recalling her first Olympics in Sydney in 2000 where there was some discontent among the Canadian athletes there.

"I remember at the 2000 Games there was some murmuring and grumbling. I didn't want to be an athlete who complains and grumbles. I want to do something about it."

The six members officially begin their four-year term this fall. Felicien says she expects to find out details about future meetings. She suspects many meetings will be conducted through tele-conferencing throughout the year, although she expects the committee will meet in person a few times each year.

"This is the first time I've been nominated, so I don't know much right now. I know that it won't conflict with my training."

The Athletes' Council is expected to meet for the first time this fall. There, the six summer Olympic athletes will join current winter athlete members Cassie Campbell (hockey), Deidra Dionne (freestyle ski), Alexa Loo (snowboard) and Jeff Pain (skeleton), ex-officio members Beckie Scott and Charmaine Crooks as well as Pan American sports representative Jaret Llewellyn (water ski) and Victoria Winter (equestrian).