I apologize in advance to the committee and to my colleagues who are here with me today, but I am going to deviate from my prepared written statement and speak from my heart.
Earlier today, Marina Gantsevich, the wife of one of our national coaches, mother of a high-performance director and my dearest friend, passed away far too soon after suffering a sudden aneurysm. She was taken off life support less than an hour ago. While I'm not directly involved in the sport, anyone who knows the Gantsevich family will understand that Marina was the rock on which their lifelong commitment to sport was built and a foundation for the countless people who benefited from their work, my family and me included. She will be sorely missed.
I would like to request that our discussion today recognize this and be conducted with the appropriate respect and consideration.
I would also like to humbly suggest that it's possible to have difficult but necessary conversations in a respectful and collegial manner, and that it is seriously wished to further the clear need to improve our sport system for all who work, volunteer and participate in it. It is possible to do so in a manner that is just, open, follows due process, is respectful of different perspectives and, most of all, is done with kindness.
I would also like to request that the privacy of the Gantsevich family be respected at this very difficult time.
Thank you.