To honour the memory of Carol Anne Letheren, CEO and Secretary General for the COA, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) partnered to recognize and pay tribute to her legacy through the ‘Carol Anne Letheren International Sport Leadership Award’.

This award recognized Canadian women who had made an outstanding contribution in the area of international sport leadership and had a profound impact on sport and physical activity. The Carol Anne Letheren International Sport and Leadership Award was granted to Marion Lay in 2002, Slava Corn in 2004 and Tricia Smith in 2006.

Background

The late Carol Anne Letheren’s career in sport was unique, one of unparalleled distinction with respect to her legacy of leadership, influence and impact on sport internationally. She is remembered for her passion for sport and her ardent advocacy for athletes, youth, for women in sport, and for the values of Olympism. She was an acknowledged leader in the many prominent roles she undertook – as athlete, teacher, International technical official, President of the Pan American Gymnastics Association, Chef de Mission for Canada at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, President of the Canadian Olympic Association (COA), CEO and Secretary General for the COA, IOC Member in Canada, and a member of several working Commissions of the IOC. The late Carol Anne Letheren made an enduring and notable contribution to sport.

Past Winners

	2006	Tricia Smith
	2004	Slava Corn
	2002	Marion Lay

2006 Winner

Tricia Smith receives Carol Anne Letheren Award

Honoured for excellence in international sport leadership

QUÉBEC CITY, Friday, April 28, 2006 – Tricia Smith of Vancouver, whose career spans more than 30 years of involvement in sport as a competitor and volunteer leader, is the third recipient of the Carol Anne Letheren International Sport Leadership Award. The award was announced today during the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) Congress in Quebec City.

“Tricia is a dynamic example of an athlete who has chosen to continue giving back to sports beyond the competitive venue,” said Phyllis Berck, past chair of CAAWS. “She has not been content to merely sit back on a Board or a Committee, but she has taken on a leadership role in nearly every organization she has served. She leads by encouraging others in their areas of responsibility, with a quiet persuasive style, yet never losing sight of achieving specific objectives. And, she has constantly worked to bring women, and women’s issues to the attention of organizations at the provincial, national and international levels.”

Chris Rudge, CEO of the COC, applauded Tricia Smith’s role as an ambassador for Canada. “Tricia commands the greatest respect at a national and international level in sport due to her vast experience and knowledge. She is widely respected as a loyal champion for athletes because she always places their needs first. As we honour Carol Anne Letheren's legacy, we are delighted to partner with CAAWS to present this award to someone who leads by example and is a role model for other women in sport.”

Smith, a four-time Olympian in rowing, started her Olympic career at the 1976 Summer Games in the first-ever Olympic regatta for women. She was on Canada’s first medal-winning team at the 1977 World Championships. Among her notable achievements, she won seven World Championship medals, a silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games, and a gold medal at the 1986 Commonwealth Games.

These significant athletic achievements are more than matched by her contribution to and impact on sport and particularly women in sport. She co-founded and co-chaired Rowing Canada’s first Athletes’ Advisory Council with the goal of providing athlete input into the decision-making of the organization. Smith was also a member of the first Athletes’ Advisory Council of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

Shortly after retiring from rowing following the 1988 Olympic Games, she became a member of the Board of Rowing B.C., beginning her prolific career as a volunteer in sport.
The past chair of Sport BC and a past Board member of the Commonwealth Centre for Sport Development (now Pacific Sport), she was also the BC government’s appointee to the BC Advisory Council on Drugs and Sport and she worked with Sport Medicine BC to design drug testing protocols.

Smith is a Partner at Barnes Craig & Associates, managing claims for liability insurers, providing risk management consulting and acting as an Arbitrator on a variety of sport issues. She currently provides leadership in sport as a member of:

• the Executive Committee of the International Rowing Federation (FISA);
• the Executive Committee of the Canadian Olympic Committee;
• the Board of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS);
• and a volunteer on numerous other Boards.

Smith was recently named as Chef de Mission for the Canadian Team at the Pan American Games in 2007.

The award is presented every two years, in Olympic Games years. It was first presented in 2002 to Marion Lay of Vancouver. In 2004, it was presented to Slava Corn of Toronto.

Background – Tricia Smith

EDUCATION and DEGREES:

• University of British Columbia - 2001, Honorary Doctorate of Law
• University of British Columbia – 1985, Bachelor of Law
• University of British Columbia - 1981, Bachelor of Arts, International Relations

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Principal, Consultant and Adjuster with Barnes Craig & Associates, 1992 to present, dealing with Professional Liability, Liability and Personal Injury, Errors and Omissions, Claims Consulting, Risk Management (including Sport and Recreation) and Sport Arbitration including Team Selection, Harassment and Doping Issues.
• Associate Lawyer with Alexander, Holburn, Beaudin & Lang, Barristers & Solicitors, 1986 to 1992. General Insurance Litigation Practice specialising in Sport and Recreation Claims, Occupiers Liability, Motor Vehicle, Personal Injury, Property Damage and Negligence Claims.

ACTIVITIES:

• Member of the Executive Committee International Rowing Federation (F.I.S.A.).
• Member of the Executive Committee of the Canadian Olympic Committee.
• Chair Women’s Commission (F.I.S.A.)
• Board Member, International Council of Arbitration for Sport (I.C.A.S.), Lausanne.
• Arbitrator, Alternate Dispute Resolution for Sport, ADRSPORTRED
• Arbitrator, Centre for Sport and Law.
• Board Member, Canadian Olympic Committee and Member of the Legal Committee.
• Board Member Vancouver 2010 Bid and Member of International Team to 2003
• Past-Chair, B.C. Chapter of Olympians Canada
• Canadian Representative, World Olympians Association to 2003.
• Board Member, Rick Hansen Institute.
• Board Member, B.C. Sports Hall of Fame and Chair Selection Committee.
• Co-Chair, Friends of Burnaby Lake, Course Revitalisation Project.
• Board Member, Hamber Foundation.

SPORT and ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE:

• Four-time Olympian, 1984 Olympic Silver Medallist, 1986 Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist and Seven-time World Championship Medallist.
• Past Chair, Sport BC (umbrella organisation of Amateur Sports in B.C.)
• Past Board Member, Commonwealth Centre for Sport Development.
• Past President, University of British Columbia Alumni Association.
• Member of the First Athletes’ Advisory Council, Canadian Olympic Association
• Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the First Athletes’ Advisory Council – Rowing Canada Aviron.
• Appointee by the Provincial Government to the B.C. Advisory Council on Drugs and Sport and Advisor on Drug Testing Procedures and Protocols – 1990 – 1992.
• Member of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Policy on Penalties for Doping Infractions Canadian Anti Doping Organisation - 1992.

AWARDS:

• Six time recipient, Sport Excellence Award, Government of Canada
• BC Premier’s Athletic Award (6 times between 1981 and 1987)
• Nominated for the BC Athlete of the Quarter Century
• Member of the University of British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame
• 1991, admitted to the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame
• 1994 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, University of B.C.
• 1998 Canadian Olympic Sports Hall of Fame
• 1999 The President’s Award, Rowing Canada Aviron
• 2001 Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, University of British Columbia
• 2004 Finalist in the Canadian Sport Awards - The Bruce Kidd Award for Athlete Leadership

2004 Winner

Slava Corn receives Carol Anne Letheren Award
Honoured for excellence in international sport leadership

April 17, 2004

Recognizing more than 30 years of involvement in the sport of gymnastics, Slava Corn, from Toronto, ON, is the second recipient of the Carol Anne Letheren International Sport Leadership Award. The award was announced today during the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) Congress in Montreal, Quebec.

Slava Corn’s career in sport includes many years working tirelessly as a volunteer with Gymnastics Canada, and a professional career as Director of Sport & Recreation at Seneca College. She has been actively involved at all levels of gymnastics, working diligently to develop the entire spectrum of the sport from recreational programs to high performance. She was the first-ever woman President of Gymnastics Canada, serving from 1990 to 1995. In 1992 she became a member of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) Executive Committee. She has served on several FIG Commissions, including Media & Communication, as well as the Age Group Development Program.

In 2000 she was elected as First Vice President of FIG, becoming the first and still only woman to be elected to that office. Her contributions at the international level have been instrumental in generating changes to make gymnastic competitions more media and spectator friendly, and establishing a strong presence on the Internet. Her passion to develop the sport world-wide is seen in the FIG Commission that is standardizing information in a Coaches’ Education Curriculum to bring gymnastics knowledge and quality in less developed countries to a high international standard.

In her work at Seneca College, she was the driving force behind the multi-discipline gymnastics approach and the development of the College’s Coaching Technique Diploma Program and the Sport Seneca School Program, which combines high-level sport training and academic classes. Many Canadian coaches have graduated from the Coaching Program, and the School Program has consistently produced national and international athletes.

Karin Lofstrom, Executive Director of CAAWS, outlined Corn’s contributions to sport. “Slava is an encouragement for women who aspire to lead in the world of international sport. Her commitment to the sport first at the national level, then internationally, combined with her natural leadership capabilities, offers a role model for women to break through and to take their place at the forefront of international sport federations.”

In presenting the award, Pat Reid, Chair of the COC’s Women in Sport Committee concluded that “Slava Corn’s understanding of the media and the work involved to portray the sport through the medium of television has enhanced its visibility internationally. She has helped to develop coaches and promote development of the sport globally. Her dedication, commitment and innovation have enabled the sport to progress and evolve, both in Canada and around the world. And as we honour the memory of Carol Anne Letheren, who also loved the sport of gymnastics and devoted many years of her life to it, we are delighted to present this award to another outstanding woman leader in the field of gymnastics.”

Biography – Slava Corn

Family Background

• Slava Anna Corn, born in Czechoslovakia in 1943 and came to Canada in 1951 after fleeing from Czechoslovakia after the Communist Coup
• Jiri George Corn, father studied to become a Chartered Accountant; partner of BDO Dunwoody and maintained a very visible and active ethnic profile as a political activist against communism in Czechoslovakia; received both the Order of Canada in 1987 and the Order of T.G. Masaryk in Czechoslovakia in 1996
• Slava Corn, mother, organized the escape from Prague with two children across the Czech border to flee from the communists and has always been supportive of all the activities the whole family was involved in
• George Corn, brother, is a corporate lawyer and avid sportsman playing hockey up to the present
• Family traditions included speaking Czech, and respecting our ethnic origins, being active leaders in community projects, and respecting other cultures

Education and Professional Career

• Graduated from University of Toronto in 1967 with an Honours BA in languages (Physical Education certification through summer school)
• Taught English and high school physical education in Scarborough from 1967 to 1973 at Agincourt Collegiate Institute and Timothy Eaton Secondary School
• 1973-1980 serviced Scarborough schools as a gymnastics consultant and wrote the original Grades 4-8 school curriculum and lesson plans for gymnastics activities, rhythmics and dance
• 1980 - 1996 became the Chair of Physical Education at Seneca College -- restructuring the Coaching Diploma Program and establishing the Seneca North York Sports Program for talented athletes
• 1996-7 restructured the Sport and Recreation department at Seneca College
• As the Director of Sport and Recreation is currently responsible for all student and community sports programming and facility maintenance at Seneca

Gymnastics Involvement

• Participated as a gymnast and volunteer coach at Sokol Toronto
• Became a gymnastics judge in 1970 and reached an international level; retired from judging in 1985
• 1981-1992 managed men’s and women’s Canadian World Championships teams
• 1970-1980 served as Technical Chair for women’s programs in Ontario
• 1978-1990 served as the Technical Chair at the National level
• 1974-1990 organized sold out, highly successful international gymnastics competitions in Maple Leaf Gardens and the SkyDome, Toronto
• Recruited and developed event volunteers and technical committee members, creating a group of dedicated women who have become leaders in the sport particularly for women’s gymnastics
• 1987 trained with both mother and father to perform group gymnastics routines at the International Sokol Slet held in Zurich with over 5000 participants from around the world
• 1990 became President of the Canadian Gymnastics Federation and worked with the Board of Directors to adopt a corporate organization structure
• 1995-96 was elected as the first Chair of the Board in the new structure
• 1992 was elected as a member of the Executive Committee of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) working on its Media Commission and developing the Age Group Program and the Academy Coaching Education Programs
• 2000 was elected as the First Vice President of FIG – the first woman to hold this position

2002 Winner

Marion Lay

Recognizing a 35-year career as an elite athlete, coach, advocate, volunteer and administrator, Marion Lay, from Vancouver, BC is the first recipient of the Carol Anne Letheren International Sport Leadership Award. The award was presented today during the Canadian Olympic Association (COA) Congress in Edmonton, Alberta.

Marion Lay's career in sport includes an Olympic medal and world record as a swimmer. She has coached athletes, worked as a television commentator, established sport policies and is a highly respected keynote speaker. She has also served on numerous volunteer boards across the sports community. Instrumental in founding many organizations to foster gender equity and leadership for women, she helped establish WomenSportInternational in 1998 with members in 30 countries around the world. She is currently the President of Think Sport Ltd., a Vancouver based sport management and consulting firm that specializes in event management, program planning, evaluation and gender equity education. She has received many honours and distinctions throughout her career, most recently the International Olympic Committee's Women & Sport Trophy for the America's in 2001 and the Leadership in Sport Award in March 2002, at the Canadian Sport Awards for her outstanding contribution as a sport leader who exemplifies Spirit of Sport values.

Shawnee Scatliff, Chair of the CAAWS Board of Directors, outlined Lay's contributions for Canadians. "Marion's commitment to improving opportunities for girls and women to participate and lead in sport, and her ability to advocate for change within the sport system, has truly made a difference. Her untiring efforts to share her knowledge, to mentor other women, and to establish women's programs and organizations, is one of the main reasons why Canada is recognized as a world leader in gender equity in sport."

Newly appointed CEO of the Canadian Olympic Association, Jim Thompson, also acknowledged Lay's international reputation. "Marion Lay has acted as an advisor on women and sport to the Olympic Movement for many years. Her work had a direct impact on increasing the opportunities for women throughout the spectrum of Olympic sports. Her leadership capability for the past two years as Chair of the Vancouver 2010 Bid brought international renown, particularly for the innovative LegaciesNow program she developed for the Bid. We are proud to honour her with this award." Lay has recently given up her position as the Chair of the Vancouver 2010 Bid to focus on her role as President of the 2010 Legacies Now Society.

The award is named in honour of the late Carol Anne Letheren, former CEO of the Canadian Olympic Association. Her career in sport was unique, one of unparalleled distinction. She is remembered for her passion for sport and her ardent advocacy for athletes, youth, for women in sport, and for the values of Olympism.

Biography - Marion Lay

Ms. Lay, of Vancouver, is the President of the 2010 LegaciesNow Society, and has been involved with the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation since 1998 (chair of the board from 2000-2002 and member of the board from 1998-2000). Marion is a member of the Executive Committee of the Canadian Olympic Association and is on the National Task Force on Sport. She is also the founder and past chair of the board of the PacificSport National Sport Centre - Greater Vancouver, past co-chair of the British Columbia Games Society, a founding member and past chair of the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS), and a founding member of WomenSport International.

Ms. Lay was Canada's 100m freestyle swimming champion from 1964-68 and a member of the 4 x 100m freestyle relay team which captured the bronze medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. She finished fourth in 100m freestyle in Mexico and was fifth in the same event at the 1964 Games in Tokyo. At the 1966Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, Marion won a gold medal in the 100m freestyle. In 1967, Marion set a world record in the 110yd freestyle (short course). She retired from international competition in 1968, and became CBC's colour commentator at all major swimming competitions until 1973.

She holds a master's degree in the sociology of sport from California State University at Hayward and is the President of Think Sport Ltd., a Vancouver-based sport management and consulting firm that specializes in event management, program planning, evaluation, and gender equity education. Marion has also received numerous awards for her work in sport:

• 2001 Leadership in Sports Award - Canadian Sport Awards
• 2001 International Olympic Committee's Women and Sport
  Trophy for the Americas
• 1998 Bobbie Steen Award of Excellence for Leadership in the Sport Community
• 1996 Canadian Citizenship Award
• 1995 Bryce Taylor Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Sport
• 1994 CAAWS Herstorical Award
• 1991 Y.W.C.A. Women of Distinction Award for Recreation and Sport