National Post (National Edition)
Canadian Olympian goes to court to compete for U.S.
Bobsleigher Kaillie Humphries
CALGARY • Two-time gold medallist Kaillie Humphries is to find out Tuesday whether she can break ties with Canada’s Olympic bobsleigh team and compete for the United States.
Humphries, 34, is embroiled in a $45-million lawsuit against Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton on (BSC) over the federation’s ation’s refusal to grant her a release from the Cand Canadian team and for allegedly violating ng its coach code of conduct. duct. Humphries filed a harassment complaint mwith Bobsleigh - Canada a year ago, alleging g verbal and mental tal abuse by coach Todd odd Hays in the 2017-2018 -2018 season.
But while Humphries has been “repeatedly refused” a release lett letter by the federation, “It’s clear to her that Bobsleigh Canada has no desire to have he her competing ing for them them,” her lawyer, yer, Jef Jeffery Rath, told a judge at an i injunction he hearing in C Calgary Monday morning.
Furthermore, more the bobsleigher sleighe has been blackballed by the federation, with teammates being told not to compete or train with her unless they want to face a similar fate, Rath told Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Charlene Anderson.
Bobsleigh Canada lawyer Arif Chowdhury told the judge that an independent review of Humphries’ allegations had been completed and had found no evidence of harassment.
Chowdhury also said Humphries should have taken her case to the Sports Dispute Resolution centre of Canada, not to a courtroom.
High-calibre athletes like the bobsleigher should not be able to take advantage of taxpayer investment in their training and then switch teams to compete for another nation, Chowdhury told the judge.
He noted a Skate Canada rule that says athletes who benefit from federal funding agree not to compete for another nation for as many years as they have received support from Canada.
But Rath said by that rationale, Humphries wouldn’t be able to join another national squad for 15 years, since that is how long she has been training for Canada.
The lawyer argued there is no reason Humphries should be denied the release letter the U.S. team is requiring because she is no longer contractually obligated to BCS.
Rath told Anderson that Humphries’ contract with the organization expired at the end of June, meaning she is no longer required to follow BCS regulations when it comes to complaints.
Anderson asked why Humphries hasn’t simply informed the U.S. team that she is no longer contractually obligated to Canada.
Rath said that would be the athlete’s next step, if necessary, but for now a release document is what the U.S. is seeking.
The judge said she will decide Tuesday whether Humphries will get her wish, which would allow her to take part in push trials for the American team beginning Wednesday. Humphries now lives in the United States.