Furlong to speak at UBC after previous appearance cancelled

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – After being in, then out, he’s back in.

UBC has announced John Furlong, the man who headed VANOC during the 2010 Olympics, will speak at an annual fundraising event next month.

The school had previously cancelled his keynote address after a graduate of the school circulated an open letter that was critical of him. Glynnis Kirchmeier, an activist who has slammed the university’s handling of campus sexual assaults, said that inviting Furlong to speak was at odds with UBC’s commitment to reconciliation with First Nations people.

Furlong has steadfastly denied allegations in a 2012 newspaper article that he beat and taunted First Nations children while teaching at a northern BC school in 1969 and 1970.

The school’s president Santa Ono had apologized for the speech being cancelled.

“UBC and I have apologized for our handling of this matter publicly and directly to John Furlong and his family. With today’s decision we are making right the fundamental wrong at the heart of the issue: a well-intentioned but incorrect decision to cancel John’s speaking engagement in the first place.

John Furlong has an extraordinary record of public service and accomplishment, and is the holder of an honorary UBC doctorate degree. He has been, and continues to be a champion for amateur sport in Canada and around the world. In this regard, he is especially qualified to speak at this event for the benefit of our aspiring student athletes.”

The school says Furlong has re-accepted the invitation and will speak at the school on February 28th. He made the following statement.

“I consider participating in this event both a privilege and an honor. I’ll do my very best to deliver an address worthy of this community celebration elevating student athletics and the power of sport.

I’m deeply grateful to the countless Canadians who overwhelmed my family and I with heartfelt support during these past two weeks. It’s been very humbling and helped immensely in keeping spirits up. As most everyone can understand, this has been a terribly difficult time for us, however adversity is a force in sports, in business and in life that can reveal uncommon strength and humanity. I respect and appreciate that President Ono and Board Chair Stuart Belkin have shown decisive leadership, making a wrong decision right. I trust we can leave this behind us now to focus on ensuring the event enjoys record attendance and financial success.

UBC is a world leading university with a strong athletic tradition and an impeccable Olympic track record. These facts point to the importance of sport in university life and to character building. They elevate the school. UBC friends and alumni have for years been strong supporters of their university and I’m confident that their tradition of generous giving will again prevail. It matters that it does and I’m proud to play my part.”

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