Investing in the Next Generation of Olympians
With its first step in a new direction, the Canadian Olympic Foundation is boosting our nation’s sport future by investing in youth athletes participating in the Canada games.
On July 22nd, 2013 the Canadian Olympic Foundation (COF) made a splash in Sherbrooke, Quebec, by announcing its investment in future Olympians, delivering $250,000 in funding to the 2013 Canada Games – part of a four year agreement with the Canada Games Council.
This new financial partnership will provide sponsorship for the Games that help develop future Olympians ascending Canada’s sport system. The investment is part of the COF’s strategy to ensure Canada’s high performance athletes are supported, encouraged and enriched at all stages of their careers. The COF has committed to sponsoring the Canada Games over the next four years (2013, 2015 and 2017), which will go toward supporting athletes and coaches competing at one of the premier sporting competitions in all of Canada.
“Today is about supporting future Olympians and strengthening Canada’s sport system at all levels, which is critical if we want to consistently raise our game to the top of the podium,” said Marcel Aubut, Chair of the Canadian Olympic Foundation. “The Canada Games are an essential part of our country’s sport system and our athletes’ journey to the Olympic Games. That’s why we are so proud to be making this announcement today in support of the young men and women who are the true future of Canadian sport.”
“As an athlete who has competed first at the Canada Games and then at the Olympic Games, I know how critical support of this kind can be. That is why I am so happy and excited to see this partnership taking place,” added Antoine Valois-Fortier, London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist and Whitehorse 2007 Canada Games gold medallist. “Olympians are not produced overnight; it takes dedication, resources and proper funding at all the pivotal stages of an athletes’ career. This is great news for sport in Canada.”
At the London 2012 Olympic Games, Canada Games alumni made up 44 per cent of the Canadian Olympic team and won 61 per cent of the total medals won by Canada; proof that investing in the Canada Games will provide solid return!
This announcement is an important first step in the COF’s strategy of investing in future Olympians. For many talented young athletes, the financial barriers to access sport at the national level are considerable. A competitive athlete with potential to move up in the sport system will face a range of costs in order to make the leap, including training and equipment fees, higher level coaching and international competition travel expenses. Funding can give athletes access to the programs they need to become the best of the best. The Canadian Olympic Foundation is proud to support these programs.