Supporting Athletes on the Road to PyeongChang 2018

The Government of Canada supports athletes and their competitive events on the road to PyeongChang 2018

GATINEAU, QC, Dec. 8, 2017 /CNW/ - On the road to PyeongChang 2018, part of the Government of Canada's support for the Canadian sport system this fall is preparing our high-performance athletes to compete against the world's best. Through Sport Canada's funding programs, the government is ensuring that Canadian athletes have the training, equipment and coaching they need to reach the podium.

Today, the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, highlighted a number of Sport Canada investments and successes to emphasize the Government of Canada's contribution to Team Canada's readiness.

Boosting the Athlete Assistance Program

Canada's high-performance athletes are benefitting from a recent increase in funding through the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP). The boost added an additional $5 million to the program?an 18 percent increase?for a total investment of $33 million every year.

AAP funding is a direct contribution to athletes that helps relieve some of the financial pressures associated with preparing for and participating in international sport. It provides high-performance Canadian athletes with living, training allowance and education tuition, as well as supplemental support so that they can focus on their day-to-day commitments while training intensively in pursuit of podium performances.

Hosting world-class sports

This fall, Canadian communities are having fun hosting an assortment of international single sport events, where future Olympians and Paralympians started their winter seasons. Most of these events received support from Sport Canada's Hosting Program, which assists communities in hosting international sport events. For example, the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation Inter Continental Cup in Whistler, the Para Nordic Skiing World Cup in Canmore and the Alpine Ski World Cup in Lake Louise all received support from Sport Canada.

From September to November, Sport Canada contributed more than $2 million to 19 international sport events in Canada through the Hosting Program.

Enhanced excellence

Sport Canada contributed approximately $19.9 million this fall in enhanced excellence funding to winter sports. Each year, about $64 million is provided through Sport Canada as enhanced excellence funding for targeted summer and winter Olympic and Paralympic sports and athletes with podium potential.

International anti-doping efforts

Canada remains a leader in the fight for clean sport. The Government of Canada is pleased with the recent decision of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Foundation Board to keep its headquarters in Montréal for another 10-year period from 2021 to 2031.

Maintaining WADA headquarters in Canada will provide long-term stability for the organization, while it continues to address anti-doping issues in the interest of clean athletes worldwide.

Sport Canada is the single largest investor in Canada's sport system, providing around $200 million annually to promote sport participation among all Canadians and provide support for athletes, the national and multisport organizations that represent them, the sport centres and institutes that train them, and the hosting of events that allow them to compete with the best. We are proud to support the Canadian sport system, as well as Canadian athletes and their events as we approach the final countdown to the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Quotes

"Sport is part of our national identity and critical to building healthy communities and a strong economy. That's why our government is proud to be the largest investor in Canada's sport system and in our athletes. Across Canada, we will all be reminded of the power of sport very soon when our Team Canada athletes head to PyeongChang and make us all proud."

?The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

Quick Facts

Increased for the first time in 14 years, the new AAP investment will directly assist approximately 1,900 athletes across Canada. Sport Canada issued retroactive increases for all Living and Training Allowance payments eligible for the 2017?2018 fiscal year.

Every year, the Government of Canada invests approximately $12 million in international single sport events to provide important international experience to our athletes, while showcasing Canada as a world leader in the hosting of sport competitions.

The Government of Canada is the largest financial contributor to WADA, providing $1 million annually, and has enjoyed a successful, harmonious relationship with the agency since its inception.

Associated Links

Sport Canada

Backgrounder  

Athlete Assistance Program
Carded athletes are now getting 18 percent more financial support from the Government of Canada. This funding helps athletes concentrate on training to prepare for international sport events, like the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information, visit canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2017/10/investing_in_ourathletesbyincreasingfundingtocanadasathleteassis.html.

Hosting
The Hosting Program assists sport organizations in hosting the Canada Games and international sport events in Canada. A number of these events are qualifiers for the PyeongChang 2018 Games, yielding members of Team Canada.

Enhanced Excellence
The following table outlines Sport Canada's enhanced excellence contributions this year for winter sports:

Next-Generation Athletes
While other programs provide funding to athletes that have already shown medal potential, the new Next-Generation funding will support athletes who show progression toward medal potential.

By partnering with the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, the aim of this investment is to allow the next generation of athletes to get the support they need to achieve their long-term goals.

For more information, visit canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2017/07/investing_in_thenextgenerationofolympicandparalympicathletes.html.

SOURCE Canadian Heritage