Welcome to the new members of the OLY Canada Commission

Please join us in officially welcoming the newest members of the OLY Canada Commission – two elected members, Mathieu Bilodeau OLY (Athletics) and Kierra Smith OLY (Swimming), and two re-elected members who will serve a second consecutive term, Claire Carver-Dias OLY (Artistic Swimming) and Christine Nesbitt OLY (Speed Skating).

The COC OLY Canada Commission represents active and retired Team Canada Olympians by supporting OLY Canada programming and empowering Team Canada’s community in spreading the spirit of Olympism across Canada. In contrast, the COC Athletes’ Commission represents athletes on the COC Board of Directors and also advocates for Canadian Olympic athletes’ perspectives at the COC.

After representing Canada in triathlon for nearly a decade, Bilodeau transitioned to race walking in 2014. He made his Olympic debut two years later at Rio 2016 before competing again at Tokyo 2020. The two-time Olympian is now a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

Smith, a two-time Olympian in swimming, competed in her first Games at Rio 2016, where she reached the final of the 200m breaststroke and finished seventh. She is a two-time Pan Am Games medallist having won gold in the women’s 200m breaststroke at Toronto 2015 and silver in the 4x100m medley relay at Guadalajara 2011. Now a real estate broker, Smith trains with a swim instructor group and serves on the Board of Directors of the Kelowna AquaJets Swim Club.

Carver-Dias is a bronze medallist with the women’s team at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and two-time gold medallist at the 1999 Pan American Games in the women’s duet and team events. She is currently President of Commonwealth Sport Canada and past chair of OLY Canada.

Nesbitt is a three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic medalist in long track speed skating. In her first Olympic appearance at Turin 2006, she won silver in the team pursuit. She would go on to capture gold in the women’s 1000m on home ice at Vancouver 2010. Nesbitt is now an urban planner for the City of Richmond where she focuses on major projects for sustainability and event legacies.

Thank you for all Olympians who voted in the recent election and all who put their candidacy forward. It is inspiring to see the OLY community rallying together and engage to spread the spirit of Olympism throughout our country.

Nesbitt and Bruny Surin will serve as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively. Émilie Fournel OLY has been appointed as a COC staff member.

Following the election, the current members of the OLY Canada Commission can be found here.

The COC extends its sincere gratitude to the outgoing members for their dedication to the sport community since the Commission’s creation in 2021.

David Calder OLY (Rowing) – Vice-Chair
Sandra Sassine OLY (Fencing) – COC Staff Appointed Member

Learn more about the COC OLY Canada Commission here.

QUOTES

“I’m honoured to step into the role of Chair and look forward to working with this exceptional group to amplify the voices of Canadian Olympians across generations. Thank you to all past and present Commission members whose dedication over the past four years has built a strong foundation for our continued growth and impact. I’m excited for this Commission to continue providing opportunities, building connections, and representing the enduring values of Team Canada Olympians.”

– Christine Nesbitt, OLY (Speed Skating), Elected Chair

“I am honoured to have been elected to the OLY Canada Commission by my fellow Olympians. In this role, I want to support and bring new initiatives that strengthen the Olympian Movement, celebrate the achievements of Canadians Olympians, and inspire future generations. I look forward to working with this great group of athletes in this Commission to create meaningful connections, resources and opportunities for our community.”

– Mathieu Bilodeau, OLY (Athletics)

“I am honoured to be elected to the OLY Canada Commission. My goal is to connect and support Canadian Olympians. I am grateful to be able to give back to the community that has shaped my life. Every athlete should feel valued during and long after the Games are over. I am looking forward to collaborating within the OLY community and amplifying our athletes’ voices across Canada.”

– Kierra Smith, OLY (Swimming)

“The OLY Canada Commission is an important opportunity to ensure Olympians’ voices continue to shape our community and reflect the values they live by on and off the field. Congratulations to Christine, Claire, Kierra and Mathieu, who I know will bring their perspective and passion to make a meaningful impact for the Olympian community across Canada.”

– Tricia Smith OLY – Rowing, COC President

OLY Commission Members

Current Members

- - Christine Nesbitt OLY – Long Track Speed Skating (Elected Chair with voting rights)
  - Bruny Surin OLY – Athletics (Elected Vice-Chair with voting rights)
  - Maxime Dufour-Lapointe OLY – Freestyle Skiing (elected member with voting rights)
  - Claire Carver-Dias OLY – Artistic Swimming (elected member with voting rights)
  - Jennifer Walinga OLY – Rowing (elected member with voting rights)
  - Mathieu Bilodeau OLY – Athletics (elected member with voting rights)
  - Kierra Smith OLY – Swimming (elected member with voting rights)
  - Mercedes Nicoll OLY – Snowboard (appointed member with voting rights)
  - Émilie Fournel OLY – Kayak (appointed member with no voting rights)

The OLY Canada Commission

In accordance with the IOC and World Olympian Association governance requirements, the COC OLY Canada Commission represents active and retired Team Canada Olympians by supporting OLY Canada programming and empowering Team Canada’s Olympian community in spreading the spirit of Olympism throughout Canada. In contrast, the COC Athletes’ Commission represents athletes on the COC Board of Directors. The members also present and advocate for Canadian Olympic athletes’ perspectives at the COC.

In 2021, Canada restructured the formal Olympians Canada to become the OLY Canada Commission as the new National Olympians Association of Canada. The commission aims to provide insight from the perspective of distinguished Olympians regarding various COC OLY Legacy programs with the objectives listed below.

1. 1. To provide input to the COC on matters relating to Canadian OLYs;
  2. To unite and grow the community of Canadian OLYs;
  3. To promote and support the Olympic movement both in Canada and internationally;

RECOGNITION

OLY Canada Commission and the COC would like to recognize the work and time of past members: Charmaine Crooks OLY, Chris Farstad OLY, Olya Ovtchinnikova OLY, and Sandra Sassine OLY, who built the Canadian Olympians’ network.

A special thank you to OLY CANADA identity creators – 2008 Olympians Olya Ovtchinnikova OLY (past member of the OLY Canada Commission and former COC Staff) & Marie-Eve Marleau OLY (former COC Staff) If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to the OLY Canada team at oly@olympic.ca.

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