May 15, 2014 (Toronto, ON) – Today, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced the introduction of the ‘Randy Starkman Olympian Humanitarian Award.’ The award is being established to honour the memory of the late Canadian sports writer known and respected for his journalistic excellence, his unwavering advocacy for amateur sport, and his ability to tell the athletes’ stories as ‘they really are.’

The award will acknowledge Canadian Olympians who are examples in their communities on and off the field of play and whose actions reflect Randy Starkman’s legacy as a most passionate Olympic storyteller. It will be awarded biennially to one male and one female.

“Randy’s career was a successful one and an inspiration to us all,” said Marcel Aubut, President, Canadian Olympic Committee. “He was a gifted storyteller and through his words, told stories that touched Canadians across the country. Randy’s legacy will live on through this award, setting a benchmark of excellence for our Olympians.”

“Randy would be equal parts thrilled and uncomfortable,” said Randy’s brother, Laurie Starkman.  “He always wanted the spotlight to be on the athletes, never on himself.  But I know he’d be thrilled with the charitable aspect behind the initiative. The award will honour the kind of athlete Randy loved: a competitor who’s an outstanding community member and a really decent human being.”

Starkman was named Canada’s Sportswriter of the Year leading up to and during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and won the National Newspaper Award twice.

“I am really proud of my friendship with Randy, he was an incredible family man, an inspiring journalist and a very special friend to so many Canadian athletes like myself,” said Adam van Koeverden, three-time Olympian, four-time Olympic medallist and Chair of the COC Athletes’ Commission. “Randy was as dedicated to his craft as any Olympian is to their sport. His diligence and integrity set the bar high for his fellow writers, and his commitment to Canada’s athletes was evident in every story he ever wrote. We’ll miss Randy a ton, and we’re happy to dedicate this award to his legacy.”

The award will be presented at the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala Induction Ceremony, in June of 2014 and will be awarded on every Olympic year going forward. Recipients of the award will win a financial prize of which 50 per cent or more will be gifted to a registered Canadian charity.

For more information on the 2014 Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, please visit here.