February 15, 2005 – Olympians and members of Canada’s sport
community were on Parliament Hill today asking the federal government to
increase funding for sport in the upcoming budget to help more Canadian
athletes reach the podium at upcoming Olympic Games.

Four Olympic medallists РEric B̩dard (Short Track Speed Skating), Annie
Pelletier (Diving), Therese Brisson and Cheryl Pounder (Ice Hockey) joined
the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), the Sport Matters Group, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and representatives of Canada’s National Sport
Federations to urge parliamentarians to increase sport funding by $60
million per year. Half of that funding would support the Own the Podium
winter program and a similar program currently in development for summer
sports. The remaining $30 million would increase support to Canada s
National Sport Federations for coaching and training needs.

“Our message was well received by everyone we met, both government and
opposition members,” said Chris Rudge, CEO of the Canadian Olympic
Committee. “We felt there was general agreement that government needs to
play a bigger role in supporting Canadian athletes. With the next Olympic
Winter Games just one year away and our home Games in Vancouver just five
years away, the time is now for increased investment in sport. We were
particularly pleased with the government’s positive response to the Own
the Podium program and its clear goals and objectives.”

During the lobbying effort today, athletes told MPs and their staff about
their experiences representing Canada, including the personal sacrifices
they have made. Many have had to take part-time jobs, or have missed
important international competitions, both due to lack of funding. This
adds unnecessary stress when competing against athletes from other
countries who receive up to five times more funding per year.

“We want to be competitive at the highest levels of sport,” said Brisson,
two-time Olympic medallist. “‘Own the Podium’ is the plan that can make
this happen. New funding is needed for coaching, sport institutes, sport
science and technology. To be at the top in both summer and winter sport
requires innovation, not just imitation of what other nations are doing.”

As part of its advocacy effort, the COC has initiated a government
letter-writing campaign, asking members of the sport community and the
public to write letters to their local MP, the Finance Minister and the
Prime Minister to request additional funding for sport. Details of the
campaign are available at <http://www.olympic.ca/>www.olympic.ca.