The North American Indigenous Games came to a close on Saturday in Regina but a representative of Team Saskatchewan is adamant the team was “robbed” of the overall title.
When the dust settled, Team Saskatchewan finished with the most gold medals at 72 but in second place in the overall standings with 159 total medals – one short of Team B.C.
B.C.’s win is a controversial one for Team Saskatchewan as this team won dozens of medals in the swimming competition which was a non-sanctioned event.
Team Saskatchewan spokesman Eugene Arcand says team officials launched a protest on Thursday claiming it was “drastically unfair” medals gained in a non-sanctioned event counted towards final standings.
“We never once challenged rewarding the athletes with the medals they have earned,” he says. “We have challenged the medal count as being recognized as a sanctioned event.”
Swimming had initially been cancelled before the games started due to a lack of officials but the competition was later re-instated as a non-sanctioned event and Saskatchewan was unable to put any athletes in swimming events.
Arcand says Team Saskatchewan officials began voicing their displeasure about the situation when they first learned of it last Monday – well before the final outcome was decided.
He says he admits Team Saskatchewan turned down a compromise that was proposed last week, opting instead to test the NAIG Council’s governance structure.
Arcand says he hopes Sport Canada, which helped fund NAIG 2014, can be convinced to investigate the matter.
NAIG Council officials have not been available for comment.