February 23, 2005 – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is
pleased with the Martin government’s decision to increase funding for
amateur sport by an additional $20 million per year in the 2005 Budget. In addition, the COC is pleased that the government has rolled into the base funding for high performance sport an additional $50 million that was part of Sport Canada’s high performance funding last year which was set to
expire at the end of 2004.

“We are pleased that the Martin government has significantly increased
funding for sport in Canada,” said COC President, Michael Chambers. “The
increase demonstrates the federal government’s increasing commitment to
high performance sport in Canada. This new funding will help build
long-term sustainability for the sport community and greater success for
all our athletes.”

The COC has been actively advocating for increased federal funding for
sport. Most recently, representatives of the sport community, including
the COC, Sport Matters Group, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, National
Sport Federations and Olympic athletes and coaches met with Members of
Parliament, and senior government officials to present their vision for
amateur sport in Canada and the Own the Podium program.

“We are happy that Minister Owen recognizes the important role that sport
plays in Canada,” noted Chris Rudge, COC CEO. “It is an essential
component of our culture not only in terms of the national pride that is
fostered when Canadian athletes win Olympic medals, but also in terms of
the benefit to our health and well being from participating in sport.
There is a significant return to Canadians on the federal investment in
sport.”

The COC will continue working with Minister Owen, national funding
partners, the private sector, and National Sport Federations, to further
develop the Own the Podium program for success at the 2010 Winter Olympic
and Paralympic Games in Vancouver and to create a similar program for
summer sport, which allows for success of Canadian athletes in future
summer Olympic Games.