Municipalities' Race to Own the Podium in 2010

Dreams will be fulfilled and legends made when the world comes together for the highly anticipated Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

For many of Canada’s 2010 hopefuls, success at the Games represents a lifelong dream. Come February, following years of practice, determination and hard work, Canadian winter athletes will vie for a chance to own the podium in front of a home crowd.

Without their nation’s support, a high performance athlete may never experience the excitement of representing their country or competing against the world’s best for the chance to take home the biggest prize of all – a Vancouver 2010 Olympic medal.

To support our athletes on their quest for gold, the Canadian Olympic Foundation has created an online fundraising challenge designed to engage communities all across Canada. The Municipalities’ Challenge will provide critical funding support for Own the Podium, in 2010 and beyond.

As it stands, 118 municipalities are gearing up to participate. For instance, several in the Ottawa region have initiated a friendly rivalry with one another to see who can raise the most funds for winter athletes. They have contacted their local radio station and recruited several Olympians from their municipalities to promote the challenge on the airwaves.

The Canadian Olympic Foundation envisions all Canadians banding together and creating a unified front in support of high performance sport.

Canadians are encouraged to get their wheels turning and enlist the biggest sports enthusiasts from their municipalities to lead the Challenge. It is a great opportunity to showcase a community’s role in supporting our Canadian winter athletes – and it comes with the chance of winning an exclusive 2010 Community Prize Package and national bragging rights.

With just four months until the 2010 Games, Canadian sport fans can turn individual support into group support through the Municipalities’ Challenge.

For more information on how to join the Challenge, please contact Andrea Lynett .