High performance athletes received a boost in the 2015 federal budget, as the government earmarked up to $5 million dollars a year, contingent on private sector matching funds, to Own the Podium.
The money won’t begin to flow until the 2016-17 season, but will continue for four years and could reach a total of $20 million for high performance sport.
The money will add coaches, improve training environments and support sport medicine and sport science services for athletes.
“The Government of Canada continues to lead the way in creating a new culture of winning, which Canada’s athletes and coaches fully support,” said Anne Merklinger, CEO with Own the Podium.
“Building depth is critical to mounting an attack on any podium and this commitment is a critical step forward in ensuring Canada’s goal to find and develop Olympic and Paralympic champions in every corner of the country.”
Locally, Canada’s alpine, biathlon, cross-country ski and ParaNordic teams are slated to meet with Own the Podium to make their case for increased funding. This season, Alpine Canada was given $1.5 million, Biathlon Canada received $300,000 and Cross Country Canada received $950,000. ParaNordic received $600,000 in the first year of the Pyongchang quadrennial.
Funding from Own the Podium for each sport has decreased since 2010, however, and there is hope new money will boost their coffers. Since 2010, Own the Podium has given funding to 17 winter Olympic sports, 20 summer Olympic Sports, 10 summer Paralympic sports and five Paralympic winter sports.
“It’s simple. Without the support from the Government of Canada through Own the Podium, our program would not be where it is today,” said ParaNordic skier Brian McKeever.
“In 2014, we welcomed our next generation of medal performers at the Paralympics with athletes like Mac Marcoux and Mark Arendz. Medals drive participation, but money is required to develop those podium performances.
“The federal government understands this, and this investment is critical to finding more of these young athletes.”
“We are extremely thankful to have the government of Canada’s support in the development of our next generation of Paralympic athletes and with this support, we will be able to continue to build Canada’s strong future in sport,” said Gaetan Tardif, president of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.
Own the podium was created in 2005 in the lead-up to the 2010 Winter Olympics, and gives money to national sport organizations who show medal potential.
