Canadian bobsleigh, skeleton athletes object to non-disclosure clause in contract

Canadian bobsleigh and skeleton athletes fear their national federation is trying to silence them, saying a clause in their athlete agreement contradicts the principles of safe sport.

The Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton athletes' agreement for 2022-23 includes a clause that athletes not "divulge or convey to others" any information that paints BCS in a poor light. And the non-disclosure clause remains in effect for six months following the termination or completion of an athlete's contract.

"It basically draws attention to the very thing we're complaining about, that everything is very one-sided, they hold the power and they're continuing to dig in by extending the force of which their power can be wielded, to tell us as athletes that we can't speak negatively against BCS," said one athlete, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation.

The clause has been in the contract for at least four years, according to several athletes who spoke to The Canadian Press on Monday.

Rob Koehler, the director general of Global Athlete, a worldwide athletes' rights organization, said the clause "is a prime example of a federation that puts athletes' rights last."

"The only way forward is to allow athletes freedom of expression when issues arise," added Koehler, who's based in Montreal. "Every person has a fundamental right to freedom of expression. They are humans first, athletes second."

The 60-plus athletes who penned the letter in March grew to more than 90 in the days that followed, and were supported by Olympic champion Justin Kripps and bronze medallist Christine de Bruin. De Bruin told The Toronto Star that "The whole way down the track [at the Beijing Olympics], I was like, 'F-you, f-you, f-you.' I really did do it in spite