Ottawa, ON (October 30, 2025) – The Fuelling Athletes and Coaching Excellence (FACE) program by Petro-Canada is proud to celebrate 55 athlete-coach pairs from across the country who have been selected this year for their potential and unwavering commitment to sporting excellence.
In partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, the FACE program provides financial support to emerging athletes and their coaches who embody the values of perseverance, teamwork, and passion.
Promising Talent in Artistic Gymnastics
Xavier Olasz and Adrian Balan – Men’s Artistic Gymnastics
Originally from Kingston, Ontario and now representing Quebec, 19-year-old Xavier Olasz distinguished himself by capturing two silver medals — on pommel horse and in the team event — at the 2022 Junior Pan American Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Determined, disciplined, and focused, Xavier represents a new generation of Canadian gymnasts ready to shine on the international stage.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity and excited to keep working toward my goals with the support of others,” said Xavier Olasz.
His coach, Adrian Balan, head coach at Laval Excellence, is widely recognized for his expertise and long-standing dedication to men’s artistic gymnastics. Under his leadership, several athletes have qualified for the Olympic Games, and he was named Junior National Coach of the Year by Gymnastics Canada in both 2016 and 2017 as well as senior coach in 2024 and 2025.
Mackenzie Grant and Lauren Mooney – Women’s Artistic Gymnastics
At only 13 years old, Mackenzie Grant (Ottawa, Ontario) already stands out as one of the most promising young gymnasts in the country. At Elite Canada 2025 in Markham, she earned a bronze medal in the junior all-around, followed by another bronze on vault at the 2025 Canadian Championships in the junior category.
Her coach, Lauren Mooney, takes a disciplined yet supportive approach that emphasizes technical precision, consistency, and confidence. She trains athletes at the provincial, national, and international levels, and plays a key role in nurturing the next generation of Canadian gymnasts year after year.
“Thank you to Gymnastics Canada for this prestigious nomination and to the Petro-Canada Grant for choosing Mackenzie and I. This truly means so much to us as we are both extremely hard workers and make a fantastic team together. Mackenzie and I have been working together for about 7 years and it’s truly an honour to see our hard work and perseverance recognized,” said Lauren Mooney.
United by passion and perseverance
The recognition of these pairs through the FACE program highlights the strength of the partnership between athletes and coaches, and the passion that drives the Canadian sporting community. Each pair will receive $10,000 to support their athletic development. Their achievements reflect the dedication and hard work required to reach the highest levels of performance.