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After three and a half hours of discussion, each and every participant was asked to reflect on the conversation and make a personal pledge.

National long track speed skating coach Bart Schouten shared his, pledging to “Create a values-based, passionate, open-minded, trustful, and curious learning environment that is inclusive and safe for everyone; staff and athletes, where human and athletic development, fun and winning are our focus points.”

The involvement of Own the Podium is notable, as well. The organization was originally created to help push Canadian athletes to win medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Its focus is very much on helping Canada be a leader in high-performance sport.

“It was critical for Own the Podium and the Coaching Association of Canada to partner on this particular subject,” said Anne Merklinger, CEO of Own the Podium. “It shows the credibility and leadership of the Coaching Association of Canada, who have been involved as an organization in really leading this conversation … and for Own the Podium to recognize and communicate to everyone that the notion of how Canada wins medals is as important as the medal itself.”
That message was made loud and clear for everyone at the summit. It’s not “win at all costs” for Canadian sporting organizations.

“How we win medals is just as important as winning medals and that was the key theme,” said Lorraine Lafreniere, CEO of the Coaching Association of Canada. “(The coaches) need support, they want help in understanding that and they want clarity. What does that mean? What does ‘abuse-free’ look like?”