Ian Troop fired as head of Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games organizing committee
TORONTO - The head of the 2015 Pan American Games has been fired a year and a half before thousands of athletes converge in Toronto for one of the largest sporting events in the world — a sign, sources said, that changes are needed to make sure the Games are an operational and financial success.
TO2015, the organizing committee of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Games, announced Friday that CEO Ian Troop was leaving the organization and will be replaced by Saad Rafi, a former Ontario deputy minister of health.
Sources within TO2015 said Troop's departure was not unexpected. There have been ongoing tensions between the Games organization and the province, which is responsible for the operational costs of the multi-sport competition that will bring about 10,000 athletes from the Americas to compete in 36 Pan Am and 15 Parapan sports.
"With just under two years left until the Games, TO2015 is transitioning into the operational phase of Games planning that will greatly benefit from Saad's experience and expertise," TO2015 board chairman and former Ontario premier David Peterson said in an internal email to staff.
The board gave no reason for Troop's departure, but sources said there have been key operational issues that aren't being decided, creating a real schism between the organizers and the Ontario government. Organizers are frustrated about a lack of decision making by the province, while the province had concerns about Troop's leadership.
The Ontario government came under criticism from the opposition parties this fall when it was disclosed there was a $7-million bonus package for TO2015 executives, including Troop, who was eligible for a $780,000 premium if the Games came in on budget.
The opposition parties were also up in arms after the province announced the total budget for the Toronto 2015 Games, including transportation and security, would be at least $2.5 billion — far above the $1.4 billion the province originally stated.
