Athletes Speak

Duff Gibson, Curling
"In the past it was tough knowing that basically the four best sliding sport nations in the world were routinely using wind tunnel testing as part of an annual plan and we weren't one of the four. Two seasons before the Torino Olympics, Own The Podium came along and changed that and had a dramatic impact on our collective performances. If you want to compete with the top nations in the world, this is what needs to be done and the Canadian Olympic Foundation can make it happen and that's why they have my gratitude and support."

Alexa Loo, Snowboard
"I am so grateful to Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Foundation for all of their support. Thanks to your donations, I have been able to do extensive equipment testing this summer to create the best snowboard. By having the best equipment possible, I will go into the 2010 Games knowing that I am the most prepared athlete and that I am free to just perform!"

Adam Kreek, Rowing
"The athlete excellence fund stepped in when my team and I needed it most. Leading up to the Beijing Olympics where our 8-man rowing team won gold, we were provided with unlimited medical care. I herniated 2 of the discs in my low-back 6 months before the Olympics and told I had a slim chance of competing. I would not be an Olympic gold medalist without the medical, psychiatric, and alternative medical treatment I was provided from this fund. That is why I want to thank the Canadian Olympic Foundation for all of their support."

Nancy Greene Raine, Skiing
"Coming from a large family with limited means, I was lucky to come from a small town with a great ski club that believed in ski racing. Together they raised the money to get me the European training and racing that I needed. Later, the Canadian ski association formed the National Ski Team Fund and team member attended fundraising events in the off season. Many sports aren't as well endowed -- and Olympic athletes often have to compromise their training opportunities. The best thing about the Canadian Olympic Foundation is that the money raised will go directly to athletes in need. I know it will make a real difference."

Jennifer Robinson, Figure Skating
"Figure skating is a sport that relies on difficult technical skill being performed, while creating a moment that looks effortless and graceful. That is what makes Figure Skating, so beautiful to watch. Another aspect to this beautiful sport that is hidden is the remarkable cost of training and equipment that is necessary to achieve this lifelong dream of representing Canada. Every four years, we have the passionate patriotism to stand behind our athletes. Now, with the support of Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Foundation, individuals are able to stand out in centre ice with us, knowing that they contributed to our success."

Cassie Campbell, Women's Ice Hockey
"There has been a big shift in attitude over the last few years in the world of amateur sport that it is simply not good enough as a Canadian athlete to just participate at the Olympics. All sports want to get on that podium. In hockey, we expect gold every time we step on the ice and now this is becoming the norm for all sports. The Canadian Olympic Foundation has helped to put the attitude into action. With their support, athletes have been able to take their training to new levels. The coaching, technical, mental and physical aspects of an athlete's training have been able to match the requirements necessary to get athletes on the podium. This level has been essential in order to maintain Canada's success at the Olympics, which inspires all Canadians across the country to be better in their everyday lives."

Melanie Kok, Rowing
"Financial support for our Olympic athletes is important not only for producing medals and other tangible measures of success on the world stage; it is an investment that gives back directly to communities in the form of positive role models for young Canadians. The Canadian Olympic Foundation and the Own the Podium programs have helped me achieve my goals; now it is my responsibility to inspire and help young Canadians achieve theirs, both athletically and in other areas."

Sandy Hartley, Gymnastics 1968
"The Canadian Olympic Foundation has made unreal moments become real for Olympians. Real moments mean that Canadian athletes can get on with their focus to medal. Finding top coaches and ideal training situations are no longer just a dream. Athletes can attend to the important things such as sleep, diet and their mind-set to fine tune their exceptional efforts. The fine details can make the difference, and that is why it's very important for the Foundation to be amply endowed to support every talented athlete. We are a minor country in terms of population size, so with this minimal gene pool, we have to optimize every shining star!"

Jaime Leanne Cruickshank, Bobsleigh
"I have to admit I never really knew what kind of an impact Own the Podium had on my career, which honestly is the absolutely amazing thing about this fund. Own the Podium was, and is, there for my teammates and I, giving us the funds that we need in order to be competitive on the world stage. They did, and are continuing to do this without requiring anything more than we require of ourselves - performing to the best of our abilities. With the support of Own the Podium I was able to focus on the things that really mattered - like training, competing, getting proper nutrition and therapy, as well as striving for excellence on a daily basis. Their support allowed me to unload a lot of the unnecessary stress involved with being a world class athlete, because let's face it, when I was standing on the start line of a bobsleigh track where winning and losing came down to hundredths of seconds, all I wanted to be thinking about was being on top of my game - and in world record time of course! That is why I want to thank the Canadian Olympic Foundation and Own the Podium for helping to make that a reality for me."

Nathan Brannen, Athletics
"In my sport of track and field, becoming the best takes more than just training hard. One must take a 24/7 approach toward their sport and do all the necessary things outside of just training to take you to the next level. Massage, chiropractic and physiotherapy treatments have helped me in injury prevention and moving toward my goals in my sport. Without the support of the Canadian Olympic Foundation and programs such as Own the Podium I wouldn't have the financial backing to get to the level I have and compete against the World's best."

Jeffrey Buttle - Figure Skater
"I want to thank Own the Podium for their support. It was incredible for me to know that with this funding I could train under the best of conditions and with the best coaches. It also allowed me to enter each event knowing that I had had these training opportunities and that I was better prepared because of them. I can't say it enough, but I can try, so thanks again!"

Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison - Figure Skating
"We would like to extend our thanks to the entire Own the Podium program. It is always difficult to be an amateur athlete and the support Own the Podium is providing us helps to make it one step closer to realizing our dreams. For us to believe it is possible to be on top we need people and programs behind us to support us at all moments of our career. Again we want to extend our most sincere thanks to all those involved with the OTP Program."

Lesley Hawker - Figure Skater
"Own the Podium has made a huge difference in my training. I use the funding to pay for lessons, ice time and costumes for the season. I was so surprised and happy when Skate Canada sent me the good news. This funding takes the pressure off my finances just as my season really gets rolling. I am so thankful that Own the Podium is behind all of the athletes in Canada. It gives me great pride to represent Canada and I am looking forward and dreaming of the day when I can represent Canada at the 2010 Olympics Winter Games."

Jeff Batchelor - Halfpipe
"Own the Podium deserves my biggest thanks as we move closer to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Without Own the Podium, I would not have been able to travel the world in search of the biggest and best half pipes, which will ultimately help me prepare for the greatest contest of my life. With the funding own the podium has provided, I have been able to afford my coach Jesse Fulton who motivates me and helps push myself to my fullest potential. Like Jesse, you too can get behind me and other winter athletes across the country with a donation of $20.10. Help Canada take the stage in February of 2010, and become a part of the team."

Shauna Maria Whyte - Cross Country Skiing
"In the past, I had only a few people helping me get to the podium. Now with Own the Podium there's like an army, and that's a big help. When an athlete does get on the podium, it's a team effort getting us there. The team nutritionist, physiotherapist, psychologist, our head coach, my personal coach and all Canadians play a roll. That's an awesome feeling for me now, to realize that when I stand on the podium, it's for my country."

Regan Lauscher - Luge
"Before Own the Podium our entire luge team could not afford to carry so much as a first-aid kit with us on the World Cup! Now that we have access to the resources needed to win, Canadian luge athletes are edging their way up the international standings and ready to hit the start handles to compete against the world's best."

Jeff Pain - Skeleton
"Olympic medals are won because of a number of factors: an athlete's physical gifts and mental ability, family support, coaching and technology. Own the Podium has undertaken the role of technology partner and leader. This leadership has allowed athletes to shift their energy into the other aspects. Improved technology and athlete preparation creates better results and more medals."

James Worrall, Track and Field
"As I write this, I am privileged to be able to look back over my almost 74 years of Canadian Olympic history, beginning with my participation as a hurdler and flag bearer on the 1936 Olympic team going to Berlin. My latest adventure was the thrill of carrying the Olympic Torch in the Vancouver 2010 Torch Relay.
In between, I was assistant chef de mission or chef de mission of four of our Olympic teams, president of the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada, vice president and president of the Canadian Olympic Association (now Committee), International Olympic Committee member in Canada, participant at several sessions of the Canadian Olympic Academy and executive member of the organizing committees for the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976 and for the Calgary Olympic Winter Games in 1988. I am now the honorary IOC member in Canada, as well as honorary president of the Canadian Olympic Committee, and attend as many meetings as possible.
So I know what it means to be a member of all branches of the Olympic Family, to struggle, to celebrate triumphs, to build upon experience, and through sport to meet people from all around the globe.
I may not have been able to attend the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games in person, but my spirit was certainly there, and I am overjoyed at eh success of our team - a team that included athletes, coaches, sponsors, mission staff, parents, COC members, the list goes on.
The Challenge now is to look forward, to recognize ad respect how we accomplished what we did in Vancouver, and to continue what I consider to be our crucial work on behalf of all Canadians.
After these many years, I remain a firm believer in the ideals of the Olympic Movement - in its power to foster the proverbial "sound mind in a healthy body" and to unite people around the world at a time in history when unity is sorely needed. "