It has recently been reported that the UCI is opening a formal investigation into Doltcini-Van Eyck Sport (formerly known as Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling), a Belgian UCI women’s professional cycling team, and allegations made by a couple of their former riders including Canadian, Maggie Coles-Lyster, and American, Sara Youmans. Cycling BC commends the courage of these women for coming forward and bringing their stories to light. “In sharing this story publicly, I hope to help other riders in similar situations and help make change happen,” says Coles-Lyster.
Cycling BC would like to take this opportunity to remind our community that we are committed to a sports system that keeps participants in sport free of harassment, abuse, and discrimination. For several years, Cycling BC has committed to the Coaching Association of Canada’s Responsible Coaching Movement and has taken a pledge to implement policies and processes that adhere to three key areas of focus,
- The Rule of Two
- Background Screening (including Criminal Record Checks); and
- Respect and Ethics Training
We would also like to highlight a couple of national resources to help keep sport safe for all.
- The Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) Investigation Unit: a third-party that serves members of the national sport community in helping resolve disputes and ensures that sport organizations are not investigating their own members. This is a pilot project that we will be re-assessed in the spring of 2020.
- Canadian Sport Helpline: A national toll-free confidential helpline for victims and witnesses of harassment, abuse, and discrimination in sport where victims can speak in confidence to a neutral third-party to report concerns and get help. The helpline is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET), seven days a week at 1-888-83-SPORT (77678) or by email at info@abuse-free-sport.ca.
The Investigation Unit and the Canadian Sport Helpline are not meant to replace existing resources or other helplines, but rather to complement them to properly guide Canadians and sport organizations.
Cycling BC recognizes the positive impact that sport can have on the lives of people, especially young athletes, and we will continue to work together with stakeholders to promote a safe environment for all participants to enjoy.
For more information on the Responsible Coaching Movement, go to https://www.coach.ca/responsible-coaching-movement-s17179
For more information on the Canadian Sport Helpline, go to http://abuse-free-sport.ca/en/
