CALGARY, ALBERTA – The Canadian Sport Institute Calgary (CSI Calgary), supported by the Canadian Olympic Foundation and the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, has awarded $67,000 to eight Provincial Sport Organizations (PSO) through the Canada Games Enhancement Program (CGEP) – a program funded by revenue generated via the Beijing 2022 Team Canada 50/50 Olympic and Paralympic lottery draws.
The organizations receiving funding are Alberta Fencing Association, Alberta Gymnastics Federation, Archery Alberta, Biathlon Alberta, Canadian Adaptive Snow Sports / Para-Alpine, Curling Alberta, Nordiq & Para Nordiq Alberta, and Wheelchair Sports Alberta Association.
The funding will help enhance the development of athletes and coaches in Olympic and Paralympic sport disciplines preparing for the 2023 Canada Winter Games in P.E.I. It is in addition to the $191,000 that CSI Calgary awarded to PSOs prior to the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games as a result of the Tokyo 2020 Team Canada 50/50 Olympic lottery draw.
“We’re so proud to be able support Canadian athletes through the CSI Calgary,” said Jacqueline Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Olympic Foundation and Chief Brand and Commercial Officer of the Canadian Olympic Committee. “This funding will have a profound impact on the lives and careers of Canadian athletes as they continue to thrive on the world stage and pursue their Olympic dreams.”
The athlete journey to become an Olympian or Paralympian is multifaceted. The CGEP funding focuses on three keys areas which include: covering expenses related to participation at camps and competitions; ensuring quality coaching; and receiving sport science (medicine) support to keep athletes healthy and performing at their best.
“The Paralympic Foundation of Canada was thrilled to partner with CSI Calgary to raise funds through the Para 50/50 in Alberta during the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games,” said Dean Brokop, Director of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada. “The funding will go a long way to break down barriers and ensure that athletes with a disability have the opportunity to excel in their sport and strive towards the Paralympic podium.”
CSI Calgary will also offer additional resources, above and beyond the CGEP funding, for Para athletes and coaches in the lead up to P.E.I by delivering nutrition, mental performance, strength and conditioning programming and physiological testing.
“The Canada Games are an important steppingstone for many Olympians and Paralympians,” said Gary Davies, President and CEO of CSI Calgary. “We’re excited to watch our athletes compete in upcoming major Games and we will be alongside them as they continue their journey toward Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026.”
About the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary
The Canadian Sport Institute Calgary provides world-class training environments in Alberta. With the support of our partners, we deliver leading sport science and medicine, coach education and life services to help Canada’s high-performance athletes achieve Olympic and Paralympic podium performances. www.csicalgary.ca
About Canadian Olympic Foundation
The Canadian Olympic Foundation is where the power of sport, our national pride and the impact of philanthropy intersect to make Olympic dreams a reality. As the official charitable organization of Team Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee, the foundation aims to inspire Canadians to believe in their own potential, through sport and Olympic values. For more information on how the foundation empowers Canadians to be an integral part of the Canadian Olympic Movement, visit olympic.ca/foundation.
About Paralympic Foundation of Canada
The Paralympic Foundation of Canada is a registered charitable foundation and the philanthropic arm of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. Founded in 2015, the Foundation believes that every single Canadian should be able to imagine themselves at the start line and works to remove barriers to participation in sport for individuals with a disability. For more information please visit: ParalympicFoundation.ca.
Media Contact:
Annie Gagnon, Director, Marketing & Communications
Canadian Sport Institute Calgary
c: 613.262.9644
Peter Saltsman
Senior Manager, Public Relations, Canadian Olympic Committee
c: 647-382-6986
Nicole Watts, Manager, Public Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
c. 613.462.2700