Canadian Olympic Committee joins Centre for Sport and Human Rights

The Canadian Olympic Committee has become the first national Olympic committee in the world to join the Centre for Sport and Human Rights.

The centre based in Switzerland launched in 2018 to promote human rights in sport and prevent violations of those rights.

Former Irish president and former United Nations human rights commissioner Mary Robinson is a founding patron.

Canada's Olympic Committee joins World Rowing and the international field hockey federation, as well as companies McDonald's and Airbnb, among organizations who say they're committed to both recognizing their human rights responsibilities in sport and ensuring responsible practices in sport sectors.

"What it does to impact athletes is, ultimately it makes us a better organization and better allows us to understand the human rights approach to sport," said the COC's chief external affairs officer Andrew Baker.

"Athletes will benefit from a more informed national Olympic committee, which is a good thing.

"As we unfold and we develop this relationship, they'll continue to be proud of this work because it represents Canada, it represents them, it represents all their efforts. It will prove through our actions that it's not a PR stunt in the least."

Immigration lawyer and former Canadian Olympic swimmer Nikki Dryden is among the centre's eight board members.

The human rights centre is also working with four of 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities, including Toronto, to advance child rights, safeguard child participation in sport and to influence municipal decisions that impact children's lives in sport.

The centre recently opened a category of membership called "engaged organizations."'

The Canadian Olympic Committee was vetted by the centre to receive it, Baker