THE OLYMPICS AND THE FUTURE OF SPORT IN CANADA - Wednesday, April 8, 2026 7:00 pm HHOA Fish Hatchery

The Olympics and the Future of Sport in Canada

Who: Scott Russell

Where: HHOA Fish 6712 Gelert Road, Haliburton, ON

When: April 8, 2026, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Tickets: $15/person

Scott Russell will share stories of his experiences covering the Olympic Games over the years. He is also looking to the future. He appeared before the Future of Sport in Canada Commission and will be attending the National Summit in Ottawa in September. As you know, sport is under the microscope right now because of various transgressions but also because of the spectre of sports gambling and an increasingly sedentary youth. The Canadian sports system needs a way forward. That's what we're looking at and Scott has some opinions about that.

Bio

A Canadian Screen Award and Gemini Award-winning broadcaster and acclaimed author, Scott Russell brought nearly 40 years of experience, passion and knowledge to his role as co-host of CBC Sports Presents. Russell's unparalleled enthusiasm for amateur sport shines through in every aspect of his work.

Graduated from Western University in London, Ontario with an Honours B.A in History, a Bachelor of Education, and an M.A in Journalism.

After joining CBC Charlottetown in 1985 as a news reporter, Russell turned to sports in 1986 and quickly established himself as a talent. From 1988 to 1992, he was a sports reporter and anchor for CBC in Montreal until he moved to Toronto as a network sports commentator. The longtime host of the weekly show CBC SPORTS PRESENTS, Russell has covered 17 Olympic Games for CBC, including seven as host, and also led the network’s coverage of six Pan Am Games, six Commonwealth Games, two FIFA World Cups and two FIFA Women’s World Cups. In addition, Russell was a host and rink-side reporter for CBC's Hockey Night in Canada for 14 years.

Also an acclaimed author of three books, Russell has earned numerous accolades throughout his broadcast career, including a Canadian Screen Award and Gemini Award with 15 nominations, a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to sports in Canada, the George Gross Award for Outstanding Broadcasting from Sports Media Canada, a Medal of Distinction from Toronto Sports Hall of Honour and a CBC President's Award in the Brand Champion category in recognition of his dedication and enthusiasm for his work covering amateur athletics for the network. He is an honorary board member of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, an advisory board member for the International Centre for Olympic Studies at Western University, and is the fifth Chancellor of Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, from where he holds an honorary doctorate (D.Lit.).

An active runner, Russell completed the Boston Marathon in 2005 and in 2012, was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to sports in Canada. He currently lives in Toronto with his wife, Catherine.