The Over-Regulation and Under-Protection of the Female Athlete

February 26, 2019

The Hall of Fame Speech I Never Gave:   Sport Organizations’ Over-regulation and Under-protection of the Female Athlete (Ann Peel Class of 2018) Ann Peel competed for Canada in the racewalk for over fifteen years, winning  medals internationally. Her favourite moment was a victory lap at Madison Square Gardens. She founded Athletes CAN with a … More The Over-Regulation and Under-Protection of the Female Athlete

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What does March Madness have to do with it?

March 20, 2017

Cue to a female basketball player……..”Genders don’t play sports, athletes do.” As I listened to this ad while watching NCAA March Madness, I thought, “exactly.” In fact, I remember reading years ago that female and male athletes have more in common with each other than they do with non-athletes of the same gender. Yet, sport … More What does March Madness have to do with it?

The Olympic Games Reimagined

August 11, 2016

I was invited to write a short guest column on my ideas for a re-imagined Olympic Games for OpenCanada.org,  a publication of the Canadian International Council, the Centre for International Governance Innovation and the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History. You’ll find it here at OpenCanada.org.  I would love to learn what people think of my … More The Olympic Games Reimagined

A Declaration of Rights for Athletes — its long overdue!

April 8, 2016

This morning, I presented a webinar as part of the Ali Center 4th Annual Athletes and Social Change Forum, held online.  What follows is my suggested framework for  a Declaration of Rights for Athletes. (its long, but I hope you’ll enjoy the paper). A Declaration for Human Rights in Sports would be a tremendous accomplishment. An … More A Declaration of Rights for Athletes — its long overdue!

Complexity? Begin at the beginning. And don’t make assumptions.

January 26, 2016

Here it is…..the SUV that was parked on a street beside our hotel. The notices on the windows are a little hard to read. They invite anyone passing by to take shelter in the SUV which is unlocked, contains a blanket and pillow, and is free. We were unsure how to respond to this….at first … More Complexity? Begin at the beginning. And don’t make assumptions.

‘Tis the season: a personal reflection on localising the global

December 23, 2015

Its the time of year when many people, particularly those raised in the Judeo-Christian tradition, reflect more deeply than usual on the state of humanity. I know I won the lottery to be born and to live in Canada, a remarkably safe, secure corner of the world. (A wonderful resource to share with children when … More ‘Tis the season: a personal reflection on localising the global

Access to Sport: a problem that should not be complex

December 15, 2015

While we’re on the subject of complex vs complicated, ensuring that young people have access to quality sport and play opportunities has become complex, but it shouldn’t be. Why do people create systems that are hard to navigate when we all want the same result:   kids playing? I’m reminded of how we navigate the … More Access to Sport: a problem that should not be complex

Complex and complicated are not synonyms, and why the difference matters.

December 4, 2015

It has become trite to say that we live in a complex world. But, when asked, many people will talk about phenomena that are complicated, not complex. Complicated? Complex? What’s the difference? The Canadian government plans to accept 25,000 Syrian refugees now living in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey by the end of February 2016 (the … More Complex and complicated are not synonyms, and why the difference matters.