TORONTO (May 13, 2025) — The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) issued the following statement on the appointment of Olympian Adam van Koeverden as Secretary of State for Sport:
“The Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee congratulate Olympian Adam van Koeverden on being named Secretary of State for Sport.
We believe Secretary of State van Koeverden will bring an important voice to Parliament, understanding the role sport can play in addressing our pressing challenges and advocating for the needs of Canadian athletes at all levels to help strengthen the country’s sport system.
As we face an unprecedented crisis of national identity, this portfolio will be critical in achieving this government’s urgent nation building priorities. Sport unites Canadians like nothing else can – bridging geography, language, and politics. Last summer, some 27 million Canadians tuned in to CBC/Radio-Canada to cheer on Team Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Millions more continue to rally behind Team Canada athletes at events at home and around the world as they make Canadians proud on the world stage.
Over the next four years, sport will be front and centre for Canadians, beginning with the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and our home-field FIFA World Cup next summer. The COC, CPC, and the entire Canadian sport system can help Secretary of State van Koeverden, Prime Minister Carney, and their new government capitalize on this unique and exciting moment.
As Canadians continue to rally behind Team Canada, we look forward to working with Secretary of State van Koeverden and the Government of Canada to advance these efforts and transform Canada through the power of sport.”
-30-
MEDIA CONTACTS
Peter Saltsman
Interim Director, Communications and Media Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 647-382-6986
E: psaltsman@olympic.ca
Nicole Watts
Senior Manager, Communications and PR
Canadian Paralympic Committee
C: 613-462-2700
E: nwatts@paralympic.ca