Own the Podium congratulates Team Canada, applauds Government of Canada for financial support

OTTAWA—Thanks to continued investment from the Government of Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Team Canada’s athletes and coaches delivered a best-ever performance at the 2024 Olympic Games which came to a close in Paris, France over the weekend.
 
With athletes from 15 different summer sports making 27 trips to the podium – nine gold, seven silver, 11 bronze medals – Canada finished 11th in the overall Olympic medal count. In addition, 81 athletes posted top eight finishes including 12 fourth place finishes.
 
“Over the last two weeks we have anxiously watched every breathtaking moment in Paris. There were
inspiring and gritty performances that have resulted in goals achieved, surprising wins, heartbreaking losses, setbacks and surges, but through it all, we have seen the power of the Canadian spirit, collaboration and teamwork on full display,” said Anne Merklinger, chief executive officer, Own the Podium. “Canada’s sport and government partners have made a commitment to winning well, and the results in Paris affirm the steady progress Canada’s sport system has made over the last Olympic quadrennial.”
 
Own the Podium credits Minister of Sport and Physical Activity – The Honourable Carla Qualtrough –  and the Government of Canada’s long-term belief and commitment to supporting high-performance sport in the country, along with increased investment by the Canadian Olympic Committee, for preparing Canadian athletes and coaches to deliver under the most intense pressure.
 
“The Government of Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Sport Institutes and Centres, Own the Podium and each of our national sport organizations have made a collective commitment to invest in Canada’s athletes in winning well. Canada’s performance in Paris will help to bring communities together and inspire Canadians to get involved in sport and physical activity.” added Merklinger. Canada’s sport system has worked tirelessly to build a healthy culture of excellence where people come first.”
 
Each of the 15 sports that won medals in Paris received technical guidance and support from Own the Podium as well as financial support on behalf of the funding partners.
 
“Canada’s commitment to sending athletes fully prepared to achieve their performance goals on the ultimate stage demonstrated that with great coaching, impeccable technical, analytical, sport science and medical support, and a robust, healthy training and competition environment, our country’s athletes can take on the best in the world, achieve their performance goals and ultimately see the nation’s flag raised above the Olympic podium,” added Merklinger.
 
Own the Podium was originally conceived in 2005 with the goal of helping Canadian athletes finish first overall at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Since the program’s inception, Canada’s summer and winter performances have consistently improved at the Olympic Games.
 
“None of this success is possible without partners working together in the pursuit of putting people first – from governments at all levels, national and provincial sport organizations, Canadian Sport Institutes, clubs, and families,” said Merklinger. “Paris demonstrated this is an investment in Canada’s future leaders, in civic pride and in our children who need people to emulate and inspire them to play.”
 
Own the Podium will now shift its focus to supporting Team Canada at the 2024 Paralympic Games from  August 28 to September 8.
 
About Own the Podium
Own the Podium, a not-for-profit organization, whose purpose is to support Olympic and Paralympic athletes in winning well. It is our goal to help all athletes get to the start line and know they have done everything possible to achieve their performance objectives in a culture of excellence that protects their psychological and physical health and safety. Own the Podium's largest contributor of funding is the Government of Canada with additional funding provided by the Canadian Olympic Committee/Canadian Olympic Foundation, the Canadian Paralympic Committee/Paralympic Foundation of Canada, along with the corporate community. For a full summary of Own the Podium initiatives and programs, including a breakdown of support and services by sport, please visit us at www.ownthepodium.org on the Internet.
 
 
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan  
Own the Podium                         
T: 403-620-8731
E-mail: chris.dornan@ownthepodium.org