Riot reaction: anger, shame, pride and hope

Tim Gayda, President and CEO of Sport BC, speaks to The Vancouver Sun on behalf  of 64 provincial sport organizations concerning the 2011 Riots in Vancouver.

Thanks so much for your coverage on Wednesday night’s riots.

As part of the organization for amateur sport in B.C., it made me sick to see what happened to our great city. What made it worse? The rioters used sport as a trigger for the destruction.

The values of sport are about fair play, respect, safety, inclusivity and fun. To use the loss of a hockey game – no matter how important – as an excuse for violence and criminal behaviour is a huge insult to the 700,000 participants who take part in organized sport in British Columbia.

On behalf of our 64 provincial sport organizations, we are deeply saddened – not by the loss of a hockey game but by the fact that a city’s and country’s reputation has been tarnished under the banner of sport.

Tim Gayda President & CEO, Sport BC

Read more at The Vancouver Sun website.