An Ottawa freelance photographer is considering legal action against the Canadian Olympic Committee after being let go just before the Olympic Games.

Ottawa photojournalist Chris Roussakis said he was fired by the Canadian Olympic Committee ahead of the Olympic Games, and he's hired a lawyer to seek compensation. (ChrisRoussakis.com)

Chris Roussakis said he was supposed to be in London as the official photographer for Canada's Olympic team, but that he was told in June the job was no longer his.

Roussakis said he got the job after being recommended by another photographer who had to pull out. Roussakis said he spent a few days in London getting to know the ropes, and was later trained in Montreal for four days.

But on June 20, Roussakis said he was told by the COC's director of communications, Dimitri Soudas, that the job was no longer his. While a contract had not yet been signed, Roussakis said there had been a verbal agreement.

The photographer now working with the team, Jason Ransom, is a member of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's staff. And Soudas is Harper's former chief spokesman.

Ransom took a leave of absence from Harper's staff for the job and cleared it with the ethics commissioner.

Seeking compensation

Meanwhile, Roussakis has retained a lawyer and said he's seeking compensation from the COC.

If that fails, he will consider a lawsuit.

"This was going to be the biggest break of my career, and to be told four weeks before I was supposed to leave, after being sent to London on an advance trip, after telling all friends and family that I was going to fulfil my dream, but have it taken away from me at the last second, it hurts beyond explanation," Roussakis said.

Roussakis's lawyer said he has contacted the COC but was told any issues would have to wait until after the Games.

Asked about Roussakis's claim, Soudas said only two photographers have been hired: Ransom and Mike Redwood.

"Jason, before joining the Prime Minister's Office, was an award-winning photojournalist, so we're extremely lucky to have him," Soudas said Thursday at a reception in London.

"He actually got this cleared by the ethics commissioner. People take a leave of absence from the PMO all the time, to do something called the partisan election campaign every few years. So joining to support that one unifying factor that Canada has, which is our Olympic athletes, it's a badge of honour for all of those who have taken a leave of absence and joined our teams. We're really happy to have all of them."

Harper's chief spokesman said Ransom is playing by the rules.

"Jason has taken a leave of absence from the Prime Minister's Office to pursue a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and has been in contact with the ethics commissioner to make them aware of his arrangement," said Andrew MacDougall.

"Everything has been done by the book."