Canadian Olympic Foundation
RBC Training Ground athletes descend on Rio
In the winter of 2016, RBC, CBC, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Olympic Foundation launched RBC Training Ground – a program designed to help sport officials uncover athletes with Olympic podium potential.
RELATED: RBC Training Ground athletes begin Phase 2 assessment
At each of the four regional combines, one athlete stood out above the rest. The four winners, Kieanna Stephens, Tania Bambi, Pierce Lepage and Peter Collier, will travel to Rio de Janeiro next week to experience the 2016 Olympic Games.
In lead up to Olympic Games in recent years, the Canadian Olympic Committee and national sport federations have sent prospective Olympians to host cities for test events, familiarization trips or qualifying tournaments. The intent of this advanced travel is to familiarize athletes with the sites, sounds, tastes and culture of their new competitive environment – before the high stakes of their Olympic competition.
Many Rio-bound Canadian athletes were fortunate enough to visit the 2016 host city throughout the past year.
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The RBC Training Ground athletes’ itinerary was designed to simulate the experience of an athlete at Games. Kieanna, Tania, Pierce and Peter will each visit Canada’s Performance Centre – the off-site training and accommodations hub – to get outfitted with Hudson’s Bay Team Canada gear.
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Decked out in their kits, they’ll be ready to cheer on Team Canada athletes at different venues across the city. Their itinerary includes tickets to see diving, swimming, track cycling, beach volleyball, athletics and football. It’s an action-packed schedule!
The RBC Training Ground winners will also be celebrated at Canada Olympic House in a special event, held in their honour.
“I am so excited for Rio! I can’t stop thinking about going to South America to watch incredible athletes perform live. I can’t wait to see them compete, and hopefully meet them,” says Kieanna.
