Own the Podium announces targeted and focused approach to Canada’s Games in 2010

Having just completed an intensive review of Canada’s National sport organizations’ winter programs and performances for the past winter season, Own the Podium 2010 announced today the next steps toward achieving the goal of being the top nation at the 2010 Olympic Games and to place in the top three nations at the Paralympic Games.

“This is a critical time in our planning that requires a more strategic targeting of sports and athletes,” said Roger Jackson, CEO of Own the Podium 2010. “The outstanding achievements from Canadian winter athletes last season have provided us with a clear indication of the focus and direction that will be required to achieve the highest standard of performance on the world stage. We will continue to do everything we can to give Olympic and Paralympic medal hopefuls the edge that they need to represent Canada to the best of their ability in 2010.”

With two full competitive winter seasons remaining before Canada’s Games in February and March of 2010, Own the Podium 2010 is increasing its targeted approach and support to National Sport Organizations (NSO’s) who have demonstrated a high degree of probable medals in 2010. These sports include Curling, Hockey, and Long Track and Short Track Speedskating, which collectively captured 18 World Championship medals in 2007. Other World Championship medal winners this year included the sports of Alpine, Freestyle, Snowboard, Figure Skating and Bobsleigh. Support will also be provided to Biathlon, Cross-country skiing, Skeleton, Luge and Ski cross.

A detailed backgrounder outlining OTP success stories to date can be found at www.ownthepodium2010.com, or click here.

Looking Ahead - Own the Podium’s Strategic Priorities for the 2007-2008 season and beyond are:

Technical Readiness
Ensuring targeted NSOs have quality High Performance Directors and national coaches in place for planning and implementation of programs.
OTP recently initiated a Coaches’ Professional Development program for coaches of medal potential athletes that is being administered by the Coaching Association of Canada.

Athlete Programs
Increased funding for training camps and competitions to targeted medal potential athletes

Canadian Sport Centres and Performance Enhancement Teams (PET)
Support for sport medicine and science programs and the further development of professionals working to assist coaches and athletes in this area.

Home Field Advantage
Capitalizing on the rare opportunity for Canadian winter athletes to have home field advantage, OTP is working with VANOC, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and other partners to create winning conditions for Canadian winter athletes in 2010.

Research and Innovation
Top Secret - OTP has established an innovative research program designed to give Canadian athletes the edge in equipment, technology, information and training including testing of new prototypes of clothing and equipment. Currently, 33 Top Secret projects are underway.

Performance Technology - OTP is considerably extending its review of the application of technologies to high performance sport including use of video analysis. These techniques provide instant feedback to coaches and athletes and help determine the small factors that can save valuable time and be the difference between a top 10 finish and a podium finish.

NSO Organizational Readiness
A critical element is strengthening NSOs’ ability to implement world class high performance programs.

The Recruitment program which was initiated in 2005 to identify high level athletes from other sports will undergo a significant shift in direction. As time is now limited to bring recruited athletes to world class level, the majority of the recruiting has been completed with only bobsleigh and Paralympic sports still able to identify new athletes this year. This coming season, however, is pivotal in the development of those recruited athletes who have been invited to continue with the High Performance programs within the targeted sports.

Since 2005, the five-year, $110-million OTP initiative has had a fundamental and positive impact on the Canadian high performance winter sport system by providing support and services to National Sport Organizations, Canadian Sport Centres and over 600 Canadian winter athletes on an annual basis. Despite a post-Olympic and Paralympic year which typically results in retirement for a number of high profile athletes, the 2006-2007 season saw Canada capture 135 World Cup medals and 26 World Championship podium performances, finishing second in the overall rankings to Germany.

During the 2006-2007 season, only Wheelchair curling held a World Championship and Canada finished 4th. The Para-Alpine program won 15 out of 30 World Cup medals and Canadian ice sledge hockey captured gold at the 2007 World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Kelowna, B.C. Para-Nordic also captured four World Cup gold medals. World Championships will be held in 2008 involving all of the events on the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games program which will further enhance Paralympic sport tracking.

About Own the Podium 2010
Own the Podium 2010 (OTP) is a sport technical initiative designed to help Canada become the number one nation in terms of medals won at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler, and to place top three at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. Half of the $110 Million in funding for OTP originates from the Government of Canada through Sport Canada. The other half of the funding comes from the Province of British Columbia and the VANOC sponsors including Bell Canada as Founding Corporate Partner, General Motors of Canada, Hbc, McDonald’s, Petro-Canada, RONA and RBC Financial Group. The Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Vancouver 2010 also provide professional services and resources to OTP. www.ownthepodium2010.com │ www.anouslepodium2010.com

About the Government of Canada
The Government of Canada is the single largest investor in Canada’s sport system, providing more than $140 million annually for initiatives to support our high-performance athletes and to promote sport participation among Canadians.

About the Canadian Olympic Committee
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to sport excellence. It is responsible for all aspects of Canada’s involvement in the Olympic movement, including Canada’s participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games and a wide variety of programs that promote the Olympic Movement in Canada through cultural and educational means.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee
The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is a non-profit, charitable, private corporation that is recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). CPC delivers programs that strengthen the Paralympic Movement in Canada, including sending Canadian Teams to the Paralympic Games. The CPC empowers persons with physical disabilities, through sport, at all levels.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. www.vancouver2010.com.