CALGARY, March 1, 2005 -- The Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), today announced that the Government of Canada will move on its Budget commitment to sport by investing $55 million over five years in the Own The Podium - 2010 project. This initiative will support athletes and coaches as they strive toward making Canada the number one nation at the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. "The Government of Canada is a proud supporter of the Own the Podium project, and is pleased to contribute to the development and growth of our athletes and coaches as we prepare to host the world in 2010," said Minister Owen. "This initiative represents a shared vision among our sport partners for placing Canada first at the 2010 Games in Vancouver.""With this investment, the Government of Canada has taken a leadership role in ensuring Canadian success in 2010," added John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. "In addition to its existing commitment for necessary services, the Government has clearly recognized that coaching, equipment and support - part of the Own the Podium program - will be available to help our athletes achieve their dreams both in 2010 and beyond.""The federal government's new investment in Own the Podium is a significant commitment that will go a long way in helping us achieve excellence in 2010," says Marion Lay, President and CEO of 2010 LegaciesNow. "By focusing on increasing physical activity, and developing healthy and active communities, the federal budget will also leave a lasting legacy for all Canadians."Today's announcement of $55 million is included in the increase in sport funding to $140 million annually announced in the Federal Budget on February 23, 2005. This investment is a major milestone in achieving Canada's vision of becoming a leading sport nation in both summer and winter sports. The 2005 Federal Budget clearly demonstrates that the Government of Canada is delivering on its commitments to high performance sport development, providing stable long-term funding to the Canadian sport system and our athletes in their quest towards podium success. The funds will be provided to targeted Olympic and Paralympic sports and Canadian Sport Centres to support areas such as coaching, training and competition needs, performance enhancement teams and games preparation strategies, sport science and research, and athlete support. Own the Podium - 2010 sets the vision and strategy for Canada to be the number one nation at the 2010 Olympic Games, and to be among the top three at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. This program is a collaborative effort supported by winter national sport organizations and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Sport Canada, the Calgary Olympic Development Association, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The program includes a plan to support and develop promising athletes to increase the number of potential medallists in various sports at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.The Government of Canada is the single largest investor in Canada's sport system. A total of $140 million is being provided in 2005-06 for initiatives to support our high-performance athletes and to increase Canadians' participation in sport.Funding proposed for this initiative is provided for in the February 2005 federal budget.Information:Renée Gillen Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport) (613) 954-1110Myriam BrochuChief, Media RelationsCanadian Heritage(819) 997-9314
