Canadian Olympic Committee President MARCEL AUBUT has "methodically built a formidable power base inside the Olympic establishment, long a decentralized web of sporting federations," and has both "expanded and consolidated his Olympic empire," according to a profile by LeBlanc & Gordon of the GLOBE & MAIL. Starting his "second and final four-year mandate as COC president, he has his sights set on affecting everything from coaching to anti-doping." The "big-bodied former owner" of the Nordiques, Aubut is "a relative newcomer to the Olympic movement." Although Aubut is a "consummate insider and schmoozer, he likes to portray himself as a quintessential outsider, battling long odds." He said his plans for the COC are "audacious." The COC staff will "basically double by the end of his mandate, occupying new offices in Montreal and, next on his list, Toronto." Aubut wants the COC to "showcase athletes year-round, regardless of whether it’s an Olympic year, and to beef up coaching and technical expertise across the country and in all sports." His goal is to "get even more revenues flowing, through increased merchandising sales and -- think big -- a new national sports lottery." Aubut by the end of '17 hopes to have "persuaded the federal government to match every private-sector dollar that comes into the COC." Aubut said, "When I leave, it has to be strong enough to not crumble. One of my great challenges is for this castle to not fall apart in four or five years" (GLOBE & MAIL, 1/25).
