Canada steps lightly on Russian scandal
‘My focus is 100 per cent on my team,’ country’s chef de mission in Rio says
In his day in the spotlight, Curt Harnett was a world-class cyclist, winning three Olympic medals himself.
Harnett, now Canada’s Chef de Mission at the Rio Games, put some of those skills on display Thursday, spinning away from a world of controversies — including health and safety issues in Brazil, the potential for a complete ban of Russian athletes due to doping violations and the decision by some Canadian athletes to skip the Games.
“My focus is 100 per cent on my team and (Canadian) athletes, doing everything to get ready to compete and win in Rio,” Harnett said after Rosie MacLennan — the 2012 gold medallist in trampoline — was announced as the flag bearer for the opening ceremonies.
Pressed on Russia, Harnett said he was behind any efforts to eliminate athletes who attempt to succeed through cheating.
“First, ,” he said. “I feel that is a position held not only by Canadians, but by sports fans across the world.”
MacLennan, too, bounced away from the doping controversy and how many Russian athletes may end up competing.
“I can’t hypothesize about what the decisions might be,” she said. “It’s not for me to say.”
MacLennan did say she wasn’t concerned about safety and health issues in Rio, including concerns about the Zika virus. She has seen the facilities first-hand.
“We went for some test events a few months ago and it went really well,” she said. “I’m excited to go down there and jump on some trampolines.”
Likewise, Harnett is content with the Games preparations and that Canadian athletes will be safe.
“I have every confidence that Rio is fully prepared,” he said. “We have 40 people on the ground, making sure that all loose ends are tied up.”
For all that, Canadian tennis star Milos Raonic, the Wimbledon runner-up, has bailed on the Games and Eugenie Bouchard, Canada’s top ranked female player, remains on the fence.
“Every athlete has the right to make their own decisions,” MacLennan said.
MacLennan and Harnett are full of confidence for a strong showing by Canadian athletes, but the number of medals Canada wins will likely depend on what sports — if any — Russian athletes compete in.
Harnett says Canada is looking to finish among the top 12 countries in the medal standings and has the potential to win more medals than in any previous non-boycotted Summer Olympics.
In that category, Canada’s record is 22 medals won in Atlanta in 1996. In 1984, when Russia boycotted the Games in Los Angeles, Canada took home 44 medals.
I believe in clean sport. I feel that is a position held by sports fans across the world.