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Former Vancouver Olympics CEO John Furlong Discusses Abuse Allegations, Moving Forward

Former VANOC CEO JOHN FURLONG in his first extended sit-down interview in three years said that he has "begun to emerge from 'the darkness' of allegations, brought forth" in '12 by journalist LAURA ROBINSON that he "physically and mentally abused students at an aboriginal school in Burns Lake while teaching there as a member of an Irish Catholic mission" in '69, according to Cam Cole of the VANCOUVER SUN. The allegations "fell apart when tested by the courts." Furlong said that in the beginning, he "had thought Robinson's story was so obviously untrue, no newspaper would publish it." Furlong: "I thought this would end in three days. And I was so wrong, and it got worse and worse." Cole notes after three years' worth of "legal fees, lost income from speaking engagements cancelled by nervous organizations ... the cost to Furlong was considerable." Furlong: "When the Games ended, I can't imagine there were too many people busier than me. Speaking engagements, and then it just died. And that was retirement planning for me. ... Well, it was a lot of money, and some people helped (with the costs) but you know, financially is one thing but the human cost ... I'd rather be penniless and respected than rich and reviled." Furlong added, "I've always looked at things through the lens of 'We've all got to be accountable for mistakes we've made, things we've done,' but at the same time, no one's alone in these things." Cole notes Furlong has already "made two speeches since returning to a form of public life, in Winnipeg and Lausanne, Switzerland." He also will speak Friday "at the Vancouver Board of Trade -- the topic is adversity." Furlong: "I'm not sure I'm fully out of it yet, but I'm certainly feeling better. ... You have to believe that in the end it will be OK" (VANCOUVER SUN, 11/25).

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