Unprecedented funding announced

MONTREAL – The Canadian Olympic Committee announced today an unprecedented  funding boost of close to $100 million dollars to assist high performance sport, games preparation, best-in-class NSF development and a specific envelope for the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games team.

The Canadian Olympic Committee Board of Directors and sitting Session members unanimously supported the four year quadrennial strategic plan during its semi-annual meeting this past weekend in Montreal, QC. The funding will be part of the 2013-2016 high performance plan for athletes, coaches and National Sport Federations (NSF) over the next four years. This support includes direct funding by the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Olympic Foundation.

“Athletes and coaches are at the center of everything we do. With this new funding, we are strengthening our sports system for today and tomorrow,” said Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. “With the incredible support of our private sector marketing partners, we are set to redefine the trajectory of sport in this country. Together we are just beginning to write the next chapter of the Canadian Olympic Team story.”

The Canadian Olympic Committee is funded almost exclusively by the private sector, a testament to the value of sport in Canada. Corporate Canada recognizes that value and has invested in Canada’s athletes with their partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee.

“This is an historic announcement – one that will have a real, long-lasting, positive effect on National Sport Federations in Canada,” said Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton President Reid Morrison. “Every bit of support is so crucial to provide our athletes the resources they need to achieve their Olympic goals.”

“This is great news for Canadian athletes,” said Speed Skating Canada President Marie-Claire Rouleau. “Our world-class athletes can train for this season and beyond, knowing that the Canadian Olympic Committee is stepping up to support their hard work.”

“National Sport Federations for Olympic and non-Olympic sports will benefit so much from this kind of unprecedented funding,” said Karate Canada President Rebecca Khoury. “Athletes will be the real winners, with this kind of investment in their training and preparation for the Olympic and Pan American stage.”

Specific details of the funding will be announced over the coming weeks in locations across the country.