Vice-president of the International Olympic Committee, the only Canadian to achieve this distinction, he plays an important role in promoting sports globally. Himself a gold medallist in swimming, he is widely respected and consulted as a sports administrator and is considered an expert in international sports policy.
Companion of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 2014-11-20
Invested on: 2015-05-08
For his contributions as a champion of fairness in sport and of the Olympic spirit, as well as for his engagement in civic, legal and educational causes.
Richard Pound is a champion of fairness in sport and a prime example of civic engagement. He is admired for his dedication to the Olympic ideal of personal excellence and fair play, and has held key positions at the national and international levels. As the founding president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, he helped create the first World Anti-Doping Code, which irrevocably changed amateur and professional sport. A distinguished lawyer as well as chancellor emeritus of McGill University, he also devotes his energy to many community organizations.