Susan Auch was “surprised and deeply saddened” to learn she was out as executive director of Speed Skating Canada, ending a long tenure with the Olympic medalist and Sports Hall of Famer’s organization from Canada
The decision was made Thursday by Speed Skating Canada’s board of directors, the organization said in an email. The brief statement did not include the reason for his departure.
Reached Friday in Oakbank, Man., Auch said the news took her “completely by surprise.”
“It’s going to be incredibly difficult to recover from this,” he told The Canadian Press. “This is a very unfair decision and I intend to pursue all available legal remedies.”
Auch, 56, joined Speed Skating Canada’s board of directors in 2008 and later served as the organization’s vice-chairman and president. He took over as CEO in February 2017.
“Best interest” of the organization
In its statement, the organization said the board decided “it was in the best interest of Speed Skating Canada that Susan Auch cease to serve the organization as CEO.”
“We want to thank Susan for her many contributions to SSC and wish her the best in her future endeavors. The board is currently working on a leadership transition plan and will provide updates on the matter at a later date.
“As this is a private and human resources matter, we will not be commenting further at this time.”
La Presse first reported last month that Auch was ordered to pay back $600,000 to a former business partner for “conduct amounting to fraud.” Auch, who denied the ruling, does not face criminal charges.
The organization said members of its speed skating community had been notified of the change.
As CEO, Auch guided the program to a strong performance at the Beijing Olympics earlier this year. Canada won long track gold in the women’s pursuit and short track gold in the men’s 5km relay, part of a run of nine speed skating medals for the country at the Games.
“Together with an excellent team of staff, I have just completed a reorganization of SSC and the next strategic plan to 2027, which would see us grow our membership by 1,000 percent by 2027,” he said. “And we will continue to win more medals internationally in a safe and healthy environment. We just completed a cultural overhaul last year.”
Inducted into the Hall of Fame
Auch, a Winnipeg native, won relay bronze at the 1988 Calgary Games when short track speed skating was a demonstration event.
She later switched to the long track competition and won Olympic silver in 1994 in Lillehammer, finishing three hundredths of a second behind American rival Bonnie Blair in the 500 metres.
Auch was second in the same distance four years later at the Nagano Games, this time finishing behind Canadian teammate and training partner Catriona Le May Doan.
Auch briefly retired from the sport in 1999, but returned the following year and competed in the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.
She won The Canadian Press’ Bobbie Rosenfeld Female Athlete of the Year Award in 1995 after winning three World Cup gold medals that season.
Auch was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
The national speed skating championships are underway in Quebec City, with live coverage available on CBC Sports platforms.