Posted at 3:00 p.m.
Promoting sport differently
The issue is much broader than toxic masculinity or sexual abuse, it is the culture of winning, medals, glory and popularity that needs to be reviewed. Sports funding is tied to outreach and publicity, so the more successful and popular the athlete, team or sport in question, the more money rains down. And where there is money, there is abuse, power games. Sports federations have an advantage in promoting the visibility of their athletes, raising them to the rank of stars, this brings clicks and money. And what gives? These ephemeral stars who have sacrificed everything for their sport think they have the world at their feet, because they are popular and they think they can do anything. This leads to all sorts of other abuses: coaches who are pressured to perform at all costs, who mistreat their subjects, agents who recruit 11-year-olds holding out the promise of an NHL career, thereby sacrificing their childhood, hysterical and violent parents in the stands, and so on.
The solution goes through the revaluation of several sports, the impossibility of doing elite sport before an advanced age, a review of the financing of sports federations, an enhancement of participation, team spirit, physical and mental benefits of sport in general (and not of winning) and a new perception of performance and stardom.
Martine Courtemanche, former coach, Montreal
break it boy club
In my opinion, we must break the boy club. We need an independent entity that could collect complaints and oversee their processing in these organizations. Victims could more easily file a complaint without having to confront the leaders of the targeted organization. In addition, there should be mandatory parity on the boards of directors both in terms of gender and cultural diversity to promote a mix of reflections around this type of file and the governance of these institutions.
Marie-Andree Ulysse
Clean up!
The first step will be to change the culture and for this we will need new leaders who will be equipped to initiate the change and the implementation of new policies and measures of governance. It is clear that those in place currently do not understand the issues to be addressed and how to do it.
Daniel Mercier
Haro to criminals
A short answer to your question: by repression, unfortunately. Sexual assault is a crime, punishable under the Criminal Code. Let’s first identify and punish the culprits: potential young hockey millionaires today. It will perhaps save us from giving them a standing ovation when they are on the ice. All those responsible who knew and kept silent should be prosecuted for complicity after the fact. Dura lex sed lex.
Jean-Paul Czitrom
Continuing education for coaches
Require coaches at all levels to be evaluated annually by players (or parents), team management, and themselves. A scientifically proven assessment that measures the coach’s effectiveness in establishing and maintaining healthy and positive relationships with their players.
Gilles R. Rochefort
Zero tolerance
It seems very simple to me to put an end to the toxic culture. It’s just about not tolerating it anymore. At all levels. The hypocrisy of each other in this environment is to make you vomit. Let’s see, it’s not that complicated to explain to young men that if they are guilty of criminal acts, they will have to face justice, which would put their careers in danger. All athletes can understand this. On the other hand, if we continue as at the moment to cover up their behavior, we are not out of the inn. The leaders of these organizations are to be thanked now.
Nicole Godbout, Gatineau
A need for real mentors
In sport, all athletes rub shoulders with coaches, mentors, trainers who have the opportunity, if not the duty, to set an example of irreproachable conduct, to punish wrongful acts as soon as they occur. Of course, we mainly hear about men who abuse their power over young people, girls or boys. It’s still the boy club which appears as a definition of what represents the basis of a mentality. Secrecy, undercover arrangements, monetary compensation without admission of liability are part of what has prevailed so far. Changing this system will take a dose of humility, which the boys are often unable. It will probably be necessary to inject into it the police, the judiciary and, I dare say, the psychological. Explain and combat the prerogatives of boy clubThat’s the point !
Nicole Hébert, ex-psychologist