“We are working hard at getting rid of barriers"

There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer, and over the next few weeks, Swim Ontario will be featuring stories about some of our many volunteers who give back to our sport. Thank you to all of our hard working and dedicated volunteers!

One of the most powerful comments, made by an individual, has always been a favorite of mine over the years and the words not only accentuate truth and experiences, but speak boldly of people.

A pioneer in the animation industry, an entrepreneur and a creator of a dream come true, Walt Disney once said “the way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. Too many times we keep thinking and talking through our goals. Instead, we need to start taking action”.

So true.

Feeling responsible to people.

Carlos Sayao may not be the next eye-popping executive, producer, or creator of theme parks, but he is someone who cares a great deal about equity, diversity, and inclusion.

He’s also a leader and person of influence, and there are many more, who plan to do something about equal opportunities for everyone. Sayao knows what it’s like to win – be it in a sports event, a courtroom or in a free and open society.

For the Brazilian-born Sayao, things have remarkably changed over the years.

He’s a civil litigator with Toronto-based Tyr LLP, recognized as one of Canada’s best law firms. That company “specializes in trial work and providing strategic solutions to complex disputes”.

When he’s not using his knowledge and experience to help others with legal issues, Sayao is a member of a distinguished group of people who make up the Board of Directors at Swim Ontario – the largest provincial swim organization in the country.

Sayao doesn’t have time to sit around and talk about things he has no control over. But he will focus on finding ways to help people get involved in swimming - regardless of financial status, sexual orientation, personal challenges, and the list goes on.

“At Swim Ontario, you are welcome – regardless of who you are,” said Sayao, a highly successful swimmer in his younger years. “What we are doing is finding ways to make our pools and clubs a safer and more welcoming place where everyone is treated with respect.”

As the only lawyer on the nine-member Board, Sayao says things are moving in the right direction – but much more work is still to be done.

“We are working hard at getting rid of barriers and engaging with (swim) clubs across the province because that’s the right thing to do,” said Sayao, who is openly gay. “We need to show off more as an organization and not just about our great athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers, but to increase participation for everyone.”

Working in a high profiled career, Sayao specializes in sports law issues and represents athletes, coaches, and others, in matters pertaining to discrimination, eligibility, and anti-doping matters.

He has also appeared before the International Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“I am balanced in court and not a high-strung lawyer,” he said. “I have a strong desire to win and often it’s how I present myself.”

Very appreciative of what the sport of swimming has done for him over the years, Sayao kept in touch with his feelings. He wanted to give back to the sport by bringing his skills that were useful to the organization.

Growing up in Mississauga, his parents signed him up to the Mississauga Swim Club. It was around his seventh birthday that Sayao was spotted by a coach as having potential that went beyond swimming for fun.

Talking was done. For him, it was time to show what he could do.

On the academic honor roll at Cawthra Park Secondary, that distinct celebration of success branched out to the pool. In 1999, at the age of 16, Sayao was on Canada’s Senior National team and on the way to his first international swim competition – the Pan-Pacific Games in Australia.

One for unflappable composure, Sayao – with the individual medley being his speciality event - Sayao combined hard work, compassion, and determination to excel. He has his share of awards and accolades tucked away at his parents’ home and is not one to brag about competing for Canada at the World championships and the Commonwealth Games.

While he never made it to the Olympics as a swimmer, Sayao was a team ombudsperson for Canada at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Educated in three different countries, Sayao had a connection between brilliance in the classroom and a desire to excel in the pool.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor – where he was a two-time All-American swimmer in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. His Masters came at the University of Oxford in England, where he was also Swimmer of the Year and set several records. Law school was next, and he would excel at McGill University in Montreal.

“For me, swimming has always been the journey for personal development – medals were secondary,” he said. “Being on a sports team brought so many positive opportunities and my goal now is to help others benefit as well.”

Sayao believes it is important for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender young people not to miss out on benefits that include personal fulfilment, teamwork, camaraderie, self-confidence, and social inclusion.

“Everyone wins, when we make sport more welcoming,” he said.

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.