TORONTO (May 8, 2025) – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) unveiled 10 Olympian-led projects that will receive the OLY Canada Legacy Grant, now in its sixth edition.
The COC will award a total of $100,000 across the 10 Olympian-led not-for-profit initiatives, each of which focuses on access to sport, safe sport, or sustainability in their communities. This brings the total funding that the grant has provided since its inception in 2019 to nearly half a million dollars.
The OLY Canada Legacy Grant is a part of the COC’s OLY Canada Alumni initiative. The grant is designed to reflect the three pillars of the Team Canada Impact Agenda – the COC’s commitment to making sport safe, inclusive and barrier-free so more young people can play and stay in sport.
The selected projects fall into three categories:
- Podium – helps to strengthen the sport system and support the athlete journey
- Play — improves accessibility, encourages inclusivity and diversity among youth and communities at all levels of sport
- Planet – promotes and supports environmental sustainability, the health of our planet, and the preservation of our sporting environments
The recipients of the sixth edition of the OLY Canada Legacy Grant and their programs are outlined below. For more information on the grant’s process and selected projects, visit the OLY Canada website.
RECIPIENTS
Podium:
MOMentum led by Jill Moffatt (Rowing – Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024)
Supporting elite Canadian female athletes with any family planning needs during both their preparation and recovery from national team events.
Taking Down Barriers led by Carol Huynh (Wrestling – Beijing 2008, London 2012)
Three-part program designed to advance the presence of female coaches in wrestling and provide them with the tools and confidence to excel in their roles.
Ride 100% Féminin led by Karol-Ann Canuel (Road Cycling – Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020)
A women-only cycling event designed to promote women’s access to the sport while providing opportunities for development, networking and learning.
Play:
Half Court Hoops: No Barriers. Just Ball. led by Paige Crozon (3×3 Basketball – Paris 2024)
Making basketball accessible to youth in rural, Indigenous, and economically disadvantaged communities.
Braving the Elements led by Jeane Lassen (Weightlifting – Beijing 2008)
Designed to support Canadian athletes representing the Yukon and other Northern contingents at the Arctic Winter Games and Canada Games with a focus on trauma-informed mental health and community building.
Tri-it Schools Program led by Mark Johnston (Swimming – Sydney 2000, Athens 2004)
Introductory skill sessions in triathlon to high needs, inner city schools in East and North Vancouver featuring water safety lessons along with swimming, running and biking programs.
The Power of Play led by Leah Ferguson (Wrestling – London 2012)
Making wrestling fun, accessible, and easy to teach with programming where qualified coaches lead Holistic Play workshops that empower participants with fundamental athletic skills and the confidence to run their own initiatives.
Track and field clinics led by Donna Clarke (Athletics – Los Angeles 1984)
Year-round track and field clinics aimed at increasing participation in the sport for children aged 13 and under to foster a love for athletics, develop essential skills and create an inclusive, supportive environment where kids can thrive.
Planet:
Green Sports Day Canada led by Melissa Humana-Paredes (Beach Volleyball – Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024)
Annual event and campaign that serves as a national platform to engage athletes, organizations, and communities in conversations and actions addressing pressing environmental challenges.
Rising Tides led by Gabrielle Smith (Rowing – Tokyo 2020)
Grassroots environmental initiative that removes waste from local beaches, lakes, rivers, and the ocean, while educating the public on the effects of polluting waterways and empowering individuals to take action.
QUOTES
“Every edition of this program, we see outstanding submissions from Olympian-led projects that are making a real difference in communities across Canada. They are evidence of why investing in sport is crucial as it has a unique ability to build stronger, healthier and more inclusive communities. We are so proud to support these projects and help them drive impact that extends beyond the field of play.”
– David Shoemaker, COC Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General
“Sport has the power to change lives. These OLY Canada Legacy Grant projects are a testament to that. Whether it’s helping break down barriers, create safe spaces, or preserve our sporting environments, these projects will have a lasting impact on communities across Canada. We are proud of this year’s recipients and their incredible work. I can’t wait to see the difference they’ll make.”
– Jacqueline Ryan, Canadian Olympic Foundation CEO and COC Chief Brand and Commercial Officer
“Receiving the OLY Legacy Grant means the world to me and the 350 plus children who participate in the Tri-It Schools Program. Having the Canadian Olympic Committee’s support is a feeling I will cherish for life and I am truly humbled given the truly remarkable impact others are making in their communities. Like other Olympians, I feel we never truly retire from sport and have an obligation to pass on our experiences, inspiration and skills to the next generation. These funds will enable me and those involved to take the program to even more schools and set up the program for its continued success in the years to come.”
– Mark Johnston, Two-time Olympian in Swimming, OLY Legacy Grant recipient
About OLY Canada
OLY Canada is an alumni initiative that was launched in 2017 by the Canadian Olympic Committee. The program was created to complement the global initiative started by the World Olympians Association that gives Olympians post-nominal letters (OLY) in recognition of their years of hard work, dedication and promotion of Olympic values.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Samantha Sokol
Specialist, Communications
C: 647-385-7107
E: ssokol@olympic.ca
Justine Leblanc
Program Manager, Public Relations
C: 438 304-7900
E: jleblanc@olympic.ca