Jay Lyon added to Pan Am team after apology to Archery Canada

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This article was published 30/06/2015 (4071 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg archer and Olympian Jay Lyon will be representing Canada at the Pan Am Games in Toronto, after all – but only after retracting and apologizing for a Facebook posting criticizing Archery Canada officials.

“I have learned and understand that wording is very important when using social media,” Lyons said, in a prepared statement released by Archery Canada on Tuesday. “First, it was wrong of me to use offensive language as it does not show professionalism. I recognize my position as a role-model and national ambassador for my sport and I should not be using that kind of language to express my opinion on a public forum such as Facebook.

“Secondly, I think you understand that I do stand by my convictions and opinions but I feel I could have illustrated those convictions in a more constructive and positive light considering the public exposure Facebook has.

“I never meant to offend anyone,” he added. “I can state without hesitation my knee jerk reaction was a poor choice of words on my part in an effort to explain my concerns about a decision made by Archery Canada.”

Earlier this month, Lyon harshly criticized Archery Canada’s decision to select 19-year-old Shannon Davidson over 42-year-old Katerina Vrakking for the Canadian Pan Am team. Vrakking had finished third in qualifying for the women’s team. Davidson had finished fifth.

Lyon, a long-time men’s team member who finished 10th at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 5th at the 2011 World championships, called the decision “bullshit” and “pure political hogwash” on a Facebook post.

Lyon further said the decision, which was later overturned on appeal, called into question the organization’s leadership.

“If Archery Canada had won, they would have ruined a medal potential at the Pan Am Games,” Lyon wrote. “Again, their leadership is questionable and I wish they would begin to show a little more respect and equality for female shooters.”

Archery Canada also released a statement Tuesday saying the national body “is committed to leverage recent incidents to improve upon its communication with its athletes in relation to all matters.”

The organization added: “Mr. Lyon acknowledges Archery Canada has made excellent judgements in the past and that they have a desire to wish to send the best representatives to competitions throughout the world and in Canada. Mr. Lyons concedes that he reacted poorly and in haste… and that he could have provided input in a far more positive fashion.”

Archery Canada initially selected Davidson over Vrakking, but reversed that decision after Vrakking, a veteran competitor of several international competitions, threatened legal action and went public with her opposition to the decision.

The Pan Am Games archery competition begins July 14th.