Speed Skating Canada ousts Olympian Auch as CEO

Susan Auch is out as chief executive of Speed Skating Canada, ending a long tenure with the organization for the Olympic medallist and member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

In a statement Friday, Speed Skating Canada said its board of directors decided “that it was in the best interest of Speed Skating Canada that Susan Auch no longer serve the organization as CEO.”

“We want to thank Susan for her many contributions to SSC and wish her the best in her future endeavours,” the statement said.

“The board is currently working on a leadership transition plan and will communicate updates on the matter at a later date.

“Given that this is a private, human resources-related matter, we won't be commenting any further at this time.”

A reason for Auch's departure was not provided and there was no immediate word on a replacement. The organization said the change, which was confirmed Thursday, was previously communicated to members of the speedskating community.

Auch, 56, joined Speed Skating Canada's board of directors in 2008 and later served as vice-president and president of the organization. She moved into the chief executive position in February 2017.

The Winnipeg native won relay bronze at the 1988 Calgary Games when short-track speedskating was a demonstration event.

She later transitioned to longtrack competition and won Olympic silver in 1994 at Lillehammer.

Auch was second in the same distance four years later at the Nagano Games. Auch was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2010 and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.