National Olympic sponsors and provincial governments backing Own the Podium say they do not intend to cover the funding gap that looms with the close of the Winter Olympics, a blow to Ottawa's goal of raising money to keep the elite athlete training program fully afloat.
Bell Canada, the first and largest corporate partner, says its commitment to the program ends with the closing ceremonies, a position echoed by many corporate sponsors.
Provincial governments, too, are refusing to make any promises, with the exception of British Columbia, which has said it will continue its support, but will not specify how much it will contribute.
With their financial stability on the line, Canadian Olympic Committee officials gave an impassioned defence of the Own the Podium program Wednesday and called on the federal government to pick up a shortfall of $11-million a year. Former Olympian Nathalie Lambert, who is chef de mission of the Canadian team, said Ottawa should consider the millions of Canadians who are watching the Games.
"I do believe the government will listen to the fact that there were seven million Canadians watching acrobat skiing," she said. "We've never had numbers anywhere close to that, even in any previous Olympics. It talks a lot about the passion Canadians have for sport right now, and I think we definitely need to capitalize on that."
Ms. Lambert said she is hopeful the government will change its mind and contribute more funding. "I'm crossing my fingers," she said.
Danièle Sauvageau, the former coach of the women's hockey team, who now works as a coaching mentor, drew an analogy to building a house: "We've got the foundation and if we stop there, we don't build the walls and the roof."
If funding is not maintained, many experts who have been working with Canadian athletes, thanks to Own the Podium funding, will leave to work for other countries, she he said.
The program - involving $110-million of support over five years for Canada's best winter athletes - came under increasing criticism this week as Canadian Olympians fell short of the goal of a first-place finish in medals at the Winter Games. Wednesday night, Canada was in fourth place, trailing the U.S., Germany and Norway.
Own the Podium has received $55-million from Ottawa over the past five years. Gary Lunn, the Minister of State for Sport, has said the federal government will maintain its annual financial support for the next two years at least. An additional $55-million has come from corporate Olympic sponsors, the provinces and three territories. The Olympic Committee is looking to the federal government to provide an additional $11-million a year to replace contributions from businesses and provinces.
Mr. Lunn told The Globe and Mail this week that cabinet ministers were advised not to expect the forthcoming budget to include extra money for programs. He said he hopes to work with the COC on encouraging businesses and individuals to contribute funds.
But interviews by reporters from The Globe found that neither corporate sponsors nor the provinces were prepared to offer more money to Own The Podium, although some said they would review their involvement after the 2010 Games end.
Bell Canada contributed $15-million, but the partnership will end after the Games, a company spokesman said Wednesday. General Motors of Canada put in $4-million, and its involvement with the program is now officially finished. Rona contributed $2-million and the company said it had not made any decisions about future funding for Own the Podium. RBC contributed $500,000 and has so far not been approached for further contributions.
The provinces had similar responses: Manitoba's funding of $750,000 for Own the Podium was tied to Vancouver's hosting of the Games, so there is no plan to commit further funding, government spokesman Matt Williamson said. The Newfoundland government also gave $750,000; if asked to continue to support the program, it will review that request, cabinet minister Terry French said.
Quebec provided $2.5-million but is waiting to see what decisions are made about the future of the program before considering further financial support. A Nova Scotia spokesman said it was too early to say if the province would look at new funding. A Northwest Territories spokesman said no decision has been made on whether to continue funding.
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