SIGA
SIGA hands award in sport integrity to Mastercard's Michael Robichaud
SIGA has handed the special recognition award to Mastercard’s Michael Robichaud for 'relevant services rendered in the field of Sport Integrity.'
The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has given the special recognition award to Mastercard Senior Vice-president for Global Sponsorships Michael Robichaud for his contributions in the field of integrity in sports.
The award ceremony was held on International Women’s Day, during the first day of the SIGA Women Summit on Female Leadership in New York City.
The summit is organized by SIGA and is being hosted by Mastercard at the Technology Hub in Manhattan. SIGA’s Global CEO Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros presented the commemorative plaque to Robichaud in front of more than 50 people in attendance and hundreds more who watched the event through live streaming.
Robichaud and Portuguese National Olympic Committee President José Manuel Constantino are those who have been recognized by SIGA for significant contributions to sport integrity.
The honor was approved by both the SIGA Council and the SIGA General Assembly.
A need to recognize contributions to sport integrity
Maceda de Medeiros said that Robichaud’s commitment to sport integrity was apparent from the time they first met.
“My mother taught me once that no matter how high you fly, how great is the accomplishments that you make, the victories that you earn, always remain humble… Why do I mention this? Because Michael Robichaud embodies these values. He did not want to be honored. He was not even expecting it.
“It was a must because we are an organization of values. Integrity, transparency, accountability. We value appreciation and recognition. It would be absolutely unfair not to render this expression of recognition to those who have served, those who have contributed since the very first moment to what SIGA is today,” he said as he handed the award.
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Robichaud: We have a role to play
In accepting the honor, Robichaud linked the recognition he received and the celebration of International Women’s Day.
“I didn’t mean to have even a stage for a second on International Women’s Day. Since I am here, I would just say there are many of us that are trying. We’re trying to learn, we’re trying to be part of the solution,” the awardee said.
“We’re going to ask questions. We’re learning to be uncomfortable. I can speak for myself: I’m learning to have this conversation, learning to use a different vocabulary, learning to know I’m going to walk in a room and say I really have the best intention, but I don’t know everything. I’m not alone in my journey. A few powerful women around me have no problem shutting the door and telling me that I’m going in the wrong direction, or not even moving.
“We expect that there’s a role we play. We’re going to mess up, but we’re trying.”
AS USA has joined SIGA as a permanent media partner. You can follow the summit live online.