Sport Canada

The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Canadians to celebrate the achievements and excellence of our nation. These Games are also the chance for our Canadian athletes to shine. They have worked and trained for years for this golden chance to win a medal at home.

The Government of Canada is proud to be involved in the athletes’ journey to the Games. Through Sport Canada, the federal government provides direct support aimed at developing athletes and coaches to the highest international levels by providing technically sound sport programming for all athletes, increasing the number of Canadians from all segments of society involved in sport, and advancing Canadian interests and values in Canada and abroad.

Government of Canada’s ongoing role in sport

Support to Olympic and Paralympic sport organizations and athletes

In the years leading up to the Vancouver 2010 Games, the Government of Canada has significantly increased its funding to Olympic and Paralympic sport organizations and athletes to reach an all-time high of more than $123 million.

• Olympic and Paralympic Funding Approved by Sport Canada

• Canada’s winter athletes and coaches have received $66 million in funding through the Own the Podium 2010  initiative to pursue their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.

• Funding to winter Olympic and Paralympic sport organizations and athletes tripled between the Salt Lake City and Vancouver Winter Games, and more than doubled between the Turin and Vancouver Winter Games.

• Funding to winter Paralympic sport organizations and athletes increased sevenfold between the Salt Lake City and Vancouver Winter Games.

• Direct financial support to winter Olympic and Paralympic athletes through the Athlete Assistance Program has increased 55 percent between the Turin and Vancouver Games.

Athlete Assistance Program
For more than 30 years, the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) has supported the pursuit of excellence through its contribution to improved Canadian athlete performances at major international sporting events by enabling athletes to combine their sport and academic or working careers while training intensively.

• Since its inception in 1977, the Athlete Assistance Program has provided direct financial support to1832 winter Olympic and 114 winter Paralympic athletes.

• In 2009–2010, the Athlete Assistance Program is providing more than $7 million in direct funding support to winter Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Sport Support Program
Sport Support Program (SSP) funding is aimed at developing athletes and coaches at the highest international levels; providing sound technically based sport programming for all athletes, increasing the number of Canadians from all segments of society involved in sport, and advancing Canadian interests and values in Canada and abroad.

Hosting Program
The Hosting Program is a key instrument in the Government of Canada’s overall approach to sport development in Canada and aims to enhance the development of sport excellence and the international profile of sport organizations by assisting sport organizations in hosting the Canada Games and international sport events in Canada.