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Pass that torch

Dear Editor:

Re: Olympic torch and Hazel McCallion.

I was shocked to hear an Olympic torchbearer is a sitting politician, who has declared herself as running in the 2010 election for Mayor of Mississauga and who is due to appear before a Superior Court Justice regarding conflict of interest allegations.

Yes, it is Mayor Hazel McCallion in the spotlight, again.

For her to be an Olympic torchbearer could be considered a direct violation of the Olympic Charter, which opposes any political or commercial abuse of sport and athletes.

As official sponsors for the 2010 Winter Games, the Royal Bank of Canada should well know being a sponsor of an Olympic event requires them to ensure the public doesn’t see politicians abusing or gaining from that event.  That would be a return to the bad (not so long ago) old days of International Olympic Committee scandals.

Hazel McCallion gained by running the Olympic torch.  She furthered her political career by impressing on voters that she’ll be healthy enough to make it through another four-year term — she is soon to be 89.

She also gets more of the publicity she loves.

A politician like our mayor should not be allowed to be a torchbearer.  If I am wrong, then every politician under the sun (or rock) should now be able to take the torch from a more worthy athlete for their own self-promotion and a means to their political ends.
 

What was wrote is here.

I was very shocked to hear an Olympic Torchbearer is a sitting politician, who had declared herself as running in the 2010 election for Mayor of Mississauga and who was due to appear before a Justice of the Superior Court of Justice regarding business dealing she and her family have been involved in - possible Conflict of Interest(s) - the last time this happened to her, found guilty! 

Yes it is Hazel McCallion in the spot light, again.

For her to be an Olympic Torchbearer appears to be a direct violation of the Olympic Charter - “To oppose any political or commercial abuse of sport and athletes;”.  The facts of this matter are being presented to the Olympics and City of Mississauga Judicial Inquiry.

As official sponsors for the 2010 Winter Games, the Royal Bank of Canada should well know the Olympic Charter and all other terms and conditions to being a sponsor of an Olympic event to ensure the public doesn’t see it as politicians abusing or gaining from it.  That would be a return to the bad (not so long ago), old days for the International Olympic Committee scandals.  Hazel McCallion would be gaining by running the Olympic Torch to further her political career to impress voters that she'll make it through another 4 year term, (she is soon to be 89), as well as more of the publicity she loves.

People can wonder what would motive the RBC or its gain in return for its non-compliance?  RBC is one of the big Canadian financial institutions - could they be involved in McCallion family deals or otherwise trading favours?  This needs to be investigated, just as doping in athletes is.

So, correct me if I am wrong - that according to the Olympic Charter, a politician like our Mayor should not be allowed to be a torchbearer.  Because if I am wrong - then every politician under the sun (or rock) - should now be able to take the torch from a more worthy athlete for their own self promotion and a means to their political ends.

[COMMENTS BY DON B. -  ]