June 19 (Reuters) - Rosemarie Aquilina, the American judge who sentenced disgraced USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, has called for an independent inquiry into sports across Canada amid widespread allegations of harassment, abuse and bullying.
"When will Canada hear its children and take this meaningful action to protect them from the pain, suffering and trauma they suffer in sport?"
"Canada should be celebrating and honoring the excellence of Canadian athletes and their well-being, not profiting from their abuse.
Sport Minister Pascale St-Onge announced a series of reforms in May aimed at holding Canada's national sport organizations accountable, but the many who have been calling for a national inquiry for months said the measures did not go far enough.
Aquilina also said that if Canada wanted to protect the integrity of sport it needed to protect both the sport and the players.
Persons:
Rosemarie Aquilina, Larry Nassar, Pascale St, Onge, Aquilina, Nassar, unflinchingly, Frank Pingue, Clare Fallon
Organizations:
Canadian Heritage, Sport, Thomson
Locations:
USA, Canada, Toronto