Lawless, a chartered professional coach, has been involved in high performance sport for over 25 years and currently works as a litigator in the Health and Social Service Group of the Ministry of Justice for the Province of British Columbia.

Under his tutelage, athletes have broken 28 world records in athletics and have won over a dozen major championship medals in both track and field and cycling.

His role of ombudsperson will see him provide guidance to the Canadian Parapan and Paralympic team members, with the goal of resolving disputes quickly and effectively, while he may arrange representation at a hearing, dispute resolution or appeal process.

"I'm incredibly proud to have been selected as part of the leadership team for the Canadian Paralympic team as we look to deliver more amazing athletic performances in our home Games in Toronto this summer and beyond," said Lawless, a three-time National Petro Canada Coaching Excellence Award winner.

In his role as a lawyer, Lawless has worked with several organisations at Olympic and Paralympic levels and has arbitrated on national level disputes surrounding the likes of team selection, conduct, Codes of Ethics and bylaw infringements.

Canada's wheelchair basketball team are expected to be among the favourites when Toronto to stage the Parapan American Games August  ©Getty Images



Chef de Mission Elisabeth Walker-Young welcomed Lawless' appointment.

"His legal and sport expertise combine to make him a prime candidate for the role of ombudsperson," she said. 

"We'd prefer to not have Peter busy in his role as ombudsperson, but if the situations present themselves, I'm confident with him in Canada's corner.

The Parpan American Games are set to be held in Toronto from August 7 to 15, while the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro are scheduled to take place from September 7 to 18 next year.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]



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