November 08, 2012 (Saskatoon, SK) – The Canadian Olympic Foundation is proud to partner for another year of successful Gold Medal Plates fundraising events. The cross-country series of fundraisers continued tonight at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon.

“The money raised here tonight helps make athletes’ Olympic dreams a reality,” said Saskatoon native and 2008 Olympians Kelsie Hendry. “All the athletes here tonight are very proud to support such an important event. It is so good to see Saskatoon come out to support Canadian athletes.”

“Not only does Gold Medal Plates bring first-class events across the country, but it benefits our Olympic heroes,” said Canadian Olympic Foundation Chair and Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut. “These events help us build the Canadian Olympic Foundation into Canada’s leading philanthropic organization, funding sport and high performance athletes.”

Canadian Olympians Adam van Koeverden (Canoe-Kayak), Kyle Shewfelt (Gymnastics), Kaylyn Kyle (Soccer), Kelsie Hendry (Athletics), Jacki Nichol (Sotball), Brian Gyetko (Tennis), Michelle Cameron Coulter (Synchronized Swimming), Al Coulter (Volleyball), Viola Yanik (Wrestling), Cyprian Enweani (Athletics), Mike Robertson (Snowboard), Jeff Christie (Luge), Ian Cockerline (Luge), Craig Mackay (Speed Skating), Chandra Crawford (Cross Country Skiing), Rosannagh Crawford (Biathlon), Brendan Green (Biathlon), Marie-Ève Marleau (Diving), Jason Parker (Speed Skating), Nicole Cargill (Synchronized Swimming), Herb Pinder (Ice Hockey), Marcia Gudereit (Curling), Janice Betker (Curling), Joan McCusker (Curling), Nathan Gafuik (Gymnastics), socialized with guests.

This year’s event featured chefs Robin Andreas (Sheraton Cavalier Hotel), Derek Cotton (Bliss Restaurant), Darren Craddock (Riverside Country Club), Kevin Dahlsjo (Two by Dahlsjo), Klarke Dergousoff (Amy’s on Second), Brent Lloyd (Simple Chef), Moe Mathieu (White Birch Catering), Trevor Robertson (Radisson Hotel) and Dan Walker (Weczeria Food & Wine), competing to represent Saskatoon at the Canadian Culinary Championships in Kelowna in February.

Net proceeds from the event support high performance athletes through programs such as Own the Podium.

December 21, 2011 – Send us photos of your team, your athletes and yourself wearing the Olympic Red Mittens so we can rally all Canadian sport fans around this great contest!

As winter holidays come around again, so do the iconic Olympic Red Mittens from the Hudson’s Bay Company. The COC wants people to show off their national pride and win a pair of these popular Christmas stocking stuffers. Canadians are already spotting Olympic Red Mittens everywhere.

From now until Jan. 1, the COC is inviting fans to post photos to our Facebook page or Tweet us @CDNOlympicTeam, using the hashtag #RedMittens with their photo of the Olympic Red Mittens. Fans spot Olympic Red Mittens, take a photo and we will choose the best picture to earn an official full-zip hoodie from the Canadian Olympic Team’s replica collection by the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Runners-up will claim a pair of Olympic Red Mittens for themselves.

November 18, 2011 (Montreal, QC) – The Canadian Olympic Committee announced that Canadian elite athletes hoping to achieve podium results received a strong funding boost today, as well as an important new memorandum of understanding. The COC is proud to invest in the country’s greatest ambassadors – the athletes who stand up for excellence, healthy living, fair play and the potential of the individual. We are proud to invest in their Olympic dreams.

The COC will immediately inject a further $5 million for Own the Podium (OTP) programming in coaching, training and support, to help athletes achieve their personal best on the Olympic stage. This new investment brings the COC’s contribution in the 2009-2012 quadrennial period to $25 million.

This new memorandum of understanding represents a significant step to strengthen, coordinate and harmonize the high performance sport system focused on leading the creation and delivery of programs and services to increase podium results.

“This new additional funding agreement underscores our strong commitment to helping athletes achieve medal results and inspiring our youth,” said COC President Marcel Aubut. “Vancouver 2010 has taught us that sport makes our country better. Young people are introduced to new heroes to idolize and the country unifies behind them. We have an ambitious goal in London next year: Top 12 in 2012. It is the athletes who will deliver this historic result.”

The following are some of the new agreement’s highlights:
• Strengthened leadership to the Canadian high performance sport community at the highest level;
• Secure funding to sports/athletes with medal potential at future Olympic Games;
• Continued valued consulting and expert technical support to targeted podium potential sports, athletes and coaches;
• Improved alignment within Canada’s high performance sport leaders regarding their roles to increase efficiency and to streamline the efficiency and expertise of each of the COC and OTP;
• Opportunity to influence and lead the collection and dissemination of best practices and world-class technologies and sport science innovations.

“We are extremely pleased with this new agreement, which is a leap forward for sport in this country,” said John Furlong, Chair of Own the Podium. “It will enhance opportunities for our athletes to participate and excel in sport through leadership and strategic investments in our sport system.”

“I am ecstatic we have the full support of the Canadian Olympic Committee to give me every advantage possible for podium success at the London Olympic Games,” said double Olympic diving silver medallist Alexandre Despatie.

“With the Canadian Olympic Committee behind us, Canadian Olympians can train knowing that everything is being done to support us on our journey to Sochi in 2014,” said Freestyle Skier Chloé Dufour-Lapointe.

Own the Podium’s largest contributors of funding are the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Canadian Olympic Foundation, as well as additional funding provided by corporate Canada.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support Canadian athletes. We are very pleased to see the alignment of these two great organizations in supporting our athletes and coaches to continue Canada’s great Olympic Games legacy,” said Sport Minister Bal Gosal. “Today’s announcement will help build an even better world-class national sport system—one that will help our Canadian athletes succeed at the highest levels.”

The COC was the co-founding partner of OTP, with VANOC, Sport Canada, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Winsport Canada, and was the driving force to build that strong partnership into a national initiative, reflecting what Canadians want from Canada’s high performance athletes and advancing the “excellence” goal of the Canadian Sport Policy.

May 09, 2011 – The Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA) set another attendance record at its annual conference, which attracts representatives from the sport, tourism and recreation sectors. Sport Events Congress 2011 was held last week at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa with 375 delegates in attendance. CSTA also marked a 50% increase in sponsorship support for the Congress.

“Year over year increases in Congress attendance, investment by sponsors and membership growth are key indicators that suggest that sport tourism continues to flourish in communities across Canada,” said Rick Traer, CSTA CEO. “Over the next four years, the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games will generate an unprecedented level of awareness of the many benefits associated with sport hosting.”

Over 30 events rights holders/sports organizations participated in Sport Events Exchange, the events marketplace that remains the #1 ranked element of the Congress. Delegates were also treated to an off-site social function at the new Multi-Sport Centre in Gatineau where participants viewed sport demos and toured this new facility that is poised to host a number of events in 2011 and beyond. Another Congress highlight was the fifth annual PRESTIGE Awards luncheon, hosted by CTV sports personality, Rod Black.

The record crowd appreciated the variety of session topics, training workshops and dynamic group of keynote speakers that included Andrea Shaw, former Vice-President of Sponsorship Sales and Marketing for the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee who shared her insights into the importance of corporate partnerships.

Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee, also reflected on the success of the 2010 Games and referenced the potential opportunities associated with future major events to be hosted in Canada in coming years. Ian Troop, CEO of the Toronto 2015 Pan / Parapan American Games, followed up with a presentation highlighting how the PanAms and Parapan Ams will affect Toronto and neighbouring communities from both a sport and cultural perspective.

Other influential sport business leaders to address the Congress included: Peter Montopoli, General Secretary of the Canadian Soccer Association; Bob O’Doherty, Senior VP Games and Venues, Toronto 2015; Greg Stremlaw, CEO, Canadian Curling Association; Rick Janes, Commissioner & CEO, Canadian Professional Golf Tour; Jackie Stell-Buckingham, Director of Events, Skate Canada; and Don Schumacher, Executive Director of the National Association of Sports Commissions in the USA. A special sport marketing stream, presented by TrojanOne and led by Mark Harrison, President, rounded out the most successful Sport Events Congress to date.

Copies of the SEC 2011 presentations are now available on CSTA’s website (www.canadiansporttourism.com). More information concerning SEC 2012, already confirmed for April 18-20, 2012 in Richmond, BC, will be announced in the coming weeks as CSTA prepares to host the Congress for the first time in western Canada.

March 30, 2011 – There are several job opportunities available with the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Canadian Olympic Committee, and Own the Podium. Read on and click the corresponding links for more details about each posting.

Canadian Paralympic Committee
– Director, Sport
– Senior Coordinator, Development Pathways
– Senior Coordinator, Recruitment Programs

Canadian Olympic Committee
– Senior Coordinator, Education Programs

Own the Podium
– Manager, Finance and Administration
– Administrative Coordinator

February 15, 2011 (Toronto, ON) – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is looking to send two Canadians between the ages of 20-35 to Olympia, Greece to experience the annual Young Participants Session at the International Olympic Academy (IOA). This year, interested Canadians must enter through an online application that illustrates their sport leadership, passion for the Olympic Movement and their online social influence.

The IOA unites some of the world’s most vibrant young leaders in sport and physical activity from approximately 100 nations. The session will take place from June 25 to July 9, 2011 and will focus on Olympism with a special look at Olympic education.

Applicants must possess an understanding of Olympism and experience in the Olympic Movement in Canada. Ideal candidates will exhibit, leadership, knowledge and enthusiasm for the development of sport and physical activity and will possess a strong online presence. Successful applicants will need to demonstrate a proficiency in social media channels and the strength and reach of their social media influence as they will be required to provide social media updates and act as online ambassadors for the promotion of Olympism in Canada.

All expenses will be paid during the course of the IOA. The COC will cover air travel up to $1,500. Delegates will be required to provide their own ground transportation to their departing airport and are responsible for expenses incurred in Athens prior to the official end of the session.

Those who view themselves as future leaders in Canadian sport who are creative, dynamic, young professionals are encouraged to apply online by March 14, 2011 at 5 p.m. EST.

To apply online please click HERE. The successful candidate(s) will be notified the week of March 14, 2011.

February 02, 2011 – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to sport excellence is seeking a National Sport Federation (NSF) Services Director. The deadline to apply is February 28, 2011. The overall purpose of this position is to provide added-value services to member National Sport Federation (NSFs) leadership outside the scope of sport technical with the objective of assisting NSFs become/remain world class sport organizations. These services, are broad and customised in nature, are designed to optimize NSF organizational capacity and to create synergies and economies of scale amongst NSFs to achieve common objectives. This position is primarily responsible for the day-to-day liaison between the COC and the NSF Executive Directors/CEOs.

This position would be of interest to individuals with previous NSF Executive Director/CEO experience. Working in partnership with appropriate partners, primary responsibilities and priorities for this position include:

– Development and implementation of NSF CEO/President Mentor Program;
– Development and implementation of a strategy for sharing of NSF best practices;
– Development of a Menu of Services and Network of Experts;
– Development of a COC Engagement/Outreach plan with NSFs;
– Staff Liaison with the COC Sport Partner Relations Committee;
– Lead the execution of workshops at COC Session meetings;
– Assist in the creation of an advocacy plan on behalf of NSF(s);
– Act as a resource to NSFs Executive Directors/CEOs;
– Assist in the development of a business plan that has NSFs share in back-of-house support (based on a win-win outcome);
– Work with Director, Olympic Preparation and Directors, Team Operations to develop Games related “preparation plan” for NSF EDs/CEOs;
– Assist in the development and lead the execution of an NSF at-Games Services plan;
– Assist CEO and EMD, Sport and NSF Relations in the area of NSF Relations.
– Other duties as assigned by the EMD, Sport & NSF Relations

This Ottawa based position would report directly to the Executive Managing Director, Sport & NSF Relations.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CRITICAL SKILLS
– University Degree in a sport management field; Masters Degree preferable;
– Minimum 7 years in High Performance Sport Management including the CEO/ED level;
– Desired proficiency in PowerPoint and Word;
– Strong written, verbal and interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively;
– Familiarity and proven ability to build/maintain relationships with the national sport community;
– Excellent planning, follow through, and Time Management skills; and
– Self-motivated, creative team player.

Bilingualism would be a significant asset in this position.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Confidential applications should be sent by mail or e-mail by 28 February 2011 to:

Canadian Olympic Committee
Director, NSF Services
Suite 1400,
85 Albert Street,
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 6A4
email: lleclerc-rose@olympic.ca
www.olympic.ca

No telephone calls please. We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.