U of G to Present Outstanding Leader Award to Dick Pound
May 13, 2010 - News Release
International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dick Pound will receive the Lincoln Alexander Outstanding Leader Award May 13 from the University of Guelph's College of Management and Economics (CME).
Pound is the third recipient of this honour, first awarded in 2006 to Lincoln Alexander, who served as Guelph’s chancellor for an unprecedented 15 years and who is now University chancellor emeritus.
This award seeks to recognize Canadians whose extraordinary leadership activities and accomplishments demonstrate a commitment to learning, collaboration, advocacy and service. It is the highest leadership award bestowed by U of G.
Pound is being honoured for his outstanding leadership contributions to international sport and business.
“Dick Pound is a courageous leader who selflessly championed the issue of integrity in sport and irrevocably changed the Olympics as a result,” said Prof. Julia Christensen-Hughes, CME dean. “His legacy is one that all Canadians can be proud of.”
A member of the IOC since 1978, Pound revolutionized the Olympic movement using television and sponsorship deals to transform the IOC into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.
His lengthy and distinguished sports administration career also includes serving as president of the Canadian Olympic Committee, and most recently, as director of the Vancouver Organizing Committee of the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics Winter Games.
Best known for his relentless efforts to rid sport of performance-enhancing drugs, Pound was also the founding chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency from 1999 to 2007. He campaigned for strict drug testing despite strong criticism from sporting organizations. His passionate advocacy earned him a spot as Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.
Beyond his influential role in Olympic sport, Pound served as chancellor of McGill University from 1999 to 2009 and is now chancellor emeritus.
He is currently working as a tax lawyer in Montreal and has written several books on topics including legal history, taxes and the Olympic Games.
Besides receiving the award, Pound will speak on “Beyond the Podium: Working with the Olympic Brand” May 13, 10:30 a.m., in Thornbrough 1200.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or l.hunt@exec.uoguelph.ca, or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982 or d.healey@exec.uoguelph.ca.
