DOCSLIB.ORG

Own the Podium Funding and Support: the Athletes' Perspective Hillary

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Own the Podium Funding and Support: the Athletes' Perspective Hillary Own the Podium Funding and Support: The Athletes’ Perspective Hillary Pattenden, B.A. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts’ degree in Applied Health Sciences (Sport Management) Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario Hillary Pattenden © 2015 ATHLETES’ PERSPECTIVE ON OWN THE PODIUM Abstract The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of Canada’s high performance athletes who have benefitted from Own the Podium (OTP)-recommended funding and support leading up to an Olympic or Paralympic Games. OTP, a nonprofit agency, is responsible for determining the overall investment strategy for high performance sport in Canada through recommendations to support national sport organizations (NSOs) with the aim to improve Canadian performances at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. For this study, data were collected through in-depth interviews with eleven Canadian high performance athletes (i.e., single-sport Summer/Winter Olympians and Paralympians and recently retired athletes). Analysis of the data resulted in twelve overarching themes; resources, pressure, missing gap, results, targeting, stress, expectations, boost in confidence, OTP relationship, OTP name, pre/post OTP, and lost funding. Overall, results from this exploratory research indicate that athletes generally had a favourable perception regarding OTP-recommended funding and support. Keywords: Own the Podium, high performance sport, athlete funding, Olympic Games, Paralympic Games ATHLETES’ PERSPECTIVE ON OWN THE PODIUM Acknowledgements I would like to begin my list of acknowledgements by expressing my sincere gratitude to my supervisor Dr. Lucie Thibault. It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside you for the past two and a half years during my time at Brock University. Your guidance and expertise was invaluable throughout this experience. The book Sport Policy in Canada will always hold a special spot on my bookshelf! I would also like to thank my committee members, Drs. Lisa Kikulis and Ian Ritchie. Your feedback during the course of my research greatly contributed to the quality of my thesis. I appreciate you both agreeing to serve on my committee and for taking this research journey with me. A special thank you to Dr. Nicole Forrester for your contribution to my thesis as an external examiner, your valuable insight made this study better. I could not have conducted this research study without the support of Own the Podium agreeing to provide a letter of support encouraging athletes to participate in this study. As well, I very much appreciate the role the Canadian Sport Institutes played with assisting me in gaining access to Canada’s high performance athletes. I would also like to thank my fellow graduate student peers within the Department of Sport Management. I have fond memories of my time here at Brock and have enjoyed getting to know each and every single one of you. I hope our paths cross again as we embark on our careers within the sport industry. Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends for your ongoing encouragement and interest in my studies. Thinking back on these past few years, it was ATHLETES’ PERSPECTIVE ON OWN THE PODIUM all of you who really helped keep my energy, passion and focus on completing my graduate studies. ATHLETES’ PERSPECTIVE ON OWN THE PODIUM Table of Contents Chapter I – Introduction .................................................................................................. 1 Purpose of Study ............................................................................................................. 6 Study Breakdown ............................................................................................................ 7 Chapter II – Review of Literature................................................................................... 8 The Evolution of Own the Podium ................................................................................. 8 History......................................................................................................................... 8 Criticism .................................................................................................................... 10 Support ...................................................................................................................... 14 Relevant High Performance Sport Literature ............................................................... 16 Canada....................................................................................................................... 16 Podium Vision .......................................................................................................... 18 Investing .................................................................................................................... 18 Targeting ................................................................................................................... 19 International Comparison of High Performance Sport Strategies ................................ 22 Funding Within High Performance Sport ..................................................................... 26 Funding Support........................................................................................................ 26 Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) .......................................................................... 29 B2ten ......................................................................................................................... 31 Canadian Athletes Now Fund (CAN Fund) .............................................................. 32 Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) Rewards ....................................................... 32 Sufficient Funding Amounts ..................................................................................... 34 Chapter III – Research Methods ................................................................................... 36 ATHLETES’ PERSPECTIVE ON OWN THE PODIUM Research Paradigm........................................................................................................ 37 Participant Sample and Selection.................................................................................. 38 Recruiting Strategies ..................................................................................................... 40 Data Collection Process ................................................................................................ 42 In-depth Interviews ................................................................................................... 42 Digital Audio Recording ........................................................................................... 45 Transcribing .............................................................................................................. 45 Limitations .................................................................................................................... 46 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................ 48 Quality Qualitative Research ........................................................................................ 50 Worthy Topic ............................................................................................................ 50 Rich Rigor ................................................................................................................. 50 Sincerity .................................................................................................................... 51 Self-Reflexivity ......................................................................................................... 51 Self-Reflective Journal.............................................................................................. 52 Credibility ................................................................................................................. 54 Resonance ................................................................................................................. 54 Significant Contribution............................................................................................ 54 Ethical Practices ........................................................................................................ 55 Meaningful Coherence .............................................................................................. 55 Chapter IV – Results and Discussion ............................................................................ 56 Resources ...................................................................................................................... 59 Pressure ......................................................................................................................... 79 Missing Gap .................................................................................................................. 96 ATHLETES’ PERSPECTIVE ON OWN THE PODIUM Results ......................................................................................................................... 109 Targeting ..................................................................................................................... 114 Stress ........................................................................................................................... 127 Expectations ...............................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Young Leaders’ Responses to a World in Transition
    Time for Fresh Air: Young Leaders’ Responses to a World in Transition PACIFIC FORUM CSIS YOUNG LEADERS Issues & Insights Vol. 13 – No. 15 Geneva, Switzerland April 2013 Edited By Billy Tea Pacific Forum CSIS Based in Honolulu, the Pacific Forum CSIS (www.pacforum.org) operates as the autonomous Asia-Pacific arm of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. The Forum’s programs encompass current and emerging political, security, economic, business, and oceans policy issues through analysis and dialogue undertaken with the region’s leaders in the academic, government, and corporate arenas. Founded in 1975, it collaborates with a broad network of research institutes from around the Pacific Rim, drawing on Asian perspectives and disseminating project findings and recommendations to opinion leaders, governments, and members of the public throughout the region. The Young Leaders Program The Young Leaders Program invites young professionals and scholars to join Pacific Forum policy dialogues and conferences. The program fosters education in the practical aspects of policy-making, generates an exchange of views between young and seasoned professionals, builds adaptive leadership capacity, promotes interaction among younger professionals from different cultures, and enriches dialogues with generational perspectives for all attendees. Young Leaders must have a strong background in the area covered by the conference they are attending and an endorsement from respected experts in their field. Supplemental programs in conference host cities and mentoring sessions with senior officials and specialists add to the Young Leader experience. The Young Leaders Program is possible with generous funding support by governments and philanthropic foundations, together with a growing number of universities, institutes, and organizations also helping to sponsor individual participants.
    [Show full text]
  • ASPC 10.10 11.10 Ken Bagnell.Pptx
    Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sportt Institute Network: Stronger Together PACIFIC | CALGARY | SASKATCHEWAN | MANITOBA | ONTARIO | QUÉBEC | ATLANTIC CHALLENGES Operational stability/business System Development certainty Desire to work with COC and access some of the NSO Reten%on of top staff - Enhancement funds to assist stability and growth in our efforts to get better, to posi%ons is s%ll an annual provide more and better process support for Canadian athletes. PACIFIC | CALGARY | SASKATCHEWAN | MANITOBA | ONTARIO | QUÉBEC | ATLANTIC • Initiated with a partnership of Sport Canada, Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) with the host provincial government. • Presently there are four Institutes and three Centres which COPSIN – is based on volume of athletes and NSF training locations. • Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches. Facts • Positive relationships with the important partners in high performance sport in Canada including Own The Podium (OTP) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC). PACIFIC | CALGARY | SASKATCHEWAN | MANITOBA | ONTARIO | QUÉBEC | ATLANTIC • Most COPSIN members initially operated in a virtual environment and are partnered with significant facilities. COPSIN – • 150 performance services employees • Coaching department Facts • Significant programming with host province PACIFIC | CALGARY | SASKATCHEWAN | MANITOBA | ONTARIO | QUÉBEC | ATLANTIC Annual Budget of $35.2 Million PACIFIC | CALGARY | SASKATCHEWAN | MANITOBA | ONTARIO | QUÉBEC | ATLANTIC COPSIN – National • Support for NSFs through OTP directed funding over $10 million annually • NSFs have the choice of location and provider • Most NSFs have training location at one site • Investments are for specific support (contracts) • Some NSFs invest directly additionally • Changes are being made annually PACIFIC | CALGARY | SASKATCHEWAN | MANITOBA | ONTARIO | QUÉBEC | ATLANTIC COPSIN – Provinces In most cases, the COPSI Network plays an essential role in the development and implementation of high- performance strategies at the provincial level.
    [Show full text]
  • 2006 Rbc Financial Group's Support of the Olympic Games and Amateur Sport in Canada
    Backgrounder - 2006 RBC FINANCIAL GROUP’S SUPPORT OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES AND AMATEUR SPORT IN CANADA RBC has been involved with the Canadian Olympic Movement since 1947 and is the longest- standing corporate supporter of Canada's Olympic Team. Our sponsorship includes support for the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Teams from 2005 until 2012. RBC supports amateur sport in communities across Canada, from recreational to competitive activities, and from grassroots to elite-level athletes. We sponsor the following sport associations in Canada: o Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games o Canadian Olympic Committee o Canadian Paralympic Committee o Hockey Canada o Canadian Freestyle Ski Association o Canadian Snowboard Federation o Athletics Canada o Special Olympics Canada RBC works closely with the sport associations to develop programs to educate youth and others on the merits of sport in Canada, while also providing them with an opportunity to participate, encouraging healthy active lifestyles. These include: The RBC Olympians Program In 2002, RBC introduced a program to recruit and hire both current and retired Olympic and Paralympic athletes to work for RBC as community ambassadors to bring the Olympic messages of excellence, teamwork, leadership, and commitment to our communities. Athletes are hired from across Canada, and during the course of their employment, gather skills and experiences that will help them find a career for life after sport. The program also provides the athletes much needed funding, allowing them to focus on training and competition. RBC and the Canadian Olympic School Program The Canadian Olympic School Program, presented by RBC, is a school-based program designed to promote the Olympic Values including excellence, leadership, respect, and fun, and the importance of health and physical activity.
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 World Indoor Championships Statistics - Women’S HJ - by K Ken Nakamura Summary Page
    2018 World Indoor Championships Statistics - Women’s HJ - by K Ken Nakamura Summary Page: All time Performance List at the World Indoor Championships Performance Performer Height Name Nat Pos Venue Year 1 1 2.05 Stefka Kostadinova BUL 1 Indianapolis 19 87 2 2 2.04 Yelena Slesarenko RUS 1 Budapest 2004 3 3 2.03 Blanka Vlasic CRO 1 Valencia 2008 4 4 2.02 Susanne Beyer GDR 2 Indianapolis 1987 4 2.02 Stefka Kostadinova 1 Budapest 1989 4 2.02 Stefka Kostadinova 1 Toronto 1993 4 4 2.02 Heike Henkel GER 2 Toronto 1993 4 2.02 Stefka Kostadinova 1 Paris 1997 4 2.02 Yelena Slesarenko 1 Moskva 2006 Lowest winning Height: 1.96m by Vashti Cunningham (USA) in 2016 is the lowest winning Height in history. 1.98m by Chaunte Lowe (USA) in 2012 is the second lowest winning height in the history of the World Indoor; 1.99m by Khristina Kalcheva (BUL) in 1999 is the third lowest winning height; 1.97m by Stefka Kostadinova in 1985 World Indoor Games is even lower. Margin of Victory Difference Height Name Nat Venue Year Max 4cm 2.04m Yelena Slesarenko RUS Budapest 2004 Min 0cm 2.02m Stefka Kostadinova BUL Toronto 1993 2.00m Kajsa Bergqvist UKR Lisboa 2001 1.96m Vasti Cunningham USA Portland 2016 Best Marks for Places in the World Indoor Championships Pos Height Name Nat Venue Year 1 2.05 Stefka Kostadinova BUL Indianapolis 1987 2 2.02 Susanne Beyer GDR Indianapolis 1987 Heike Henkel GER Toronto 1993 2.01 Yelena Slesarenko RUS Valencia 2008 3 2.01 Vita Palamar UKR Valencia 2008 4 1.99 Ruth Beitia ESP Valencia 2008 Multiple Gold Medalists: Blanka Vlasic (CRO):
    [Show full text]
  • 2016-2017 Own the Podium Annual Report
    ANDRE DE GRASSE ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT PENNY OLEKSIAK 2016-2017 SWIMMING OWN THE PODIUM To be a world leader in high performance sport at the Olympic and Paralympic Games PARA ICE HOCKEY MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR & CEO It seems just like days ago that Canadians rallied around our summer sport athletes as they chased their Olympic and Paralympic podium dreams in Rio. And they certainly didn’t disappoint. It’s hard to beat best-ever! On the road to Rio, Own the Podium and our partners defined success at the 2016 Olympic Games as a top-12 finish with Canadian athletes winning 19 or more medals. Our athletes delivered, surpassing both of those metrics. We would be remiss if we did not congratulate two national sport organizations in John Furlong Chair particular who captured six medals each at the Olympics – Athletics Canada and Swimming Canada – for their accomplishments on the field and in the pool. In team sports, the red-and-white qualified an unprecedented five teams, matching our country’s best-ever performance. Our women’s soccer team brought home an Olympic bronze medal and became the first Canadian summer team sport to repeat since Lacrosse in 1904 and 1908. In their Olympic debut, Canada’s women’s rugby team emerged with a podium bronze-medal performance. A few short weeks after the Olympic flame was extinguished, our Paralympians descended on Brazil for their own moment of glory. As a group, Canada finished just shy of our medal rankings in London with a 14th-place finish overall. Together with the Canadian Paralympic Committee and our summer Paralympic sport leaders, Anne Merklinger we continue to work toward a lift in those performances leading into the 2020 Games Chief Executive Officer in Tokyo.
    [Show full text]
  • Ontario Female Outdoor Records
    ONTARIO OUTDOOR RECORDS - WOMEN As on July 22, 2021 p = pending ratification (number codes explained below) h = hand timing Explanation of Number Codes for Pending Records: p Ratifiable at next AO Board meeting p(2) Copy of birth certificate required p(3) Officials' verification form required (heights accurately measured, implements checked?) p(4) Nationality/residence at time of performance needs to be verified p(5) Performance information incomplete p(6) Verification of results required p(7) More information on specifications required p(8) Record application form required For lists of discontinued events and lists of performances unratified for administrative reasons please email Randolph Fajardo <[email protected]> In the relay events, athletes whose names are in bold lettering are required to provide proof of age. For further information on this list please contact Randolph Fajardo <[email protected]> Note: As of January 1, 2010, an athlete must have been a registered member of Athletics Ontario on the date the performance was achieved in order to be eligible for a record. Age Group Performance (Wind) Athlete Name (YOB) Club (Representing) City YYYY MM DD 80m U14 10.05 (+0.3) Chelsea AGYEMONG (00) Flying Angels Academy Toronto 2013 07 27 U13 10.67 (+1.1) Arielle TESSIER (99) York University TC Toronto 2011 07 23 100m All Comers 10.95p (+0.9) Sherone SIMPSON (84) Jamaica Toronto 2015 07 22 Open 10.98 (+0.8) Angela BAILEY (62) Etobicoke Huskies-Striders (Team Canada) Budapest, HUN 1987 07 06 U24 11.13 (+0.9) Khamica BINGHAM (94) Brampton T.F.C. (Team Canada) Toronto 2015 07 22 U20 11.21 (+0.0) Angela BAILEY (62) University of Toronto TC (Team Canada) Ciudad Bolivar, VEN 1981 08 15 U19 11.44 (+0.5) Angela BAILEY (62) University of Toronto TC (Team Canada) Philadelphia, USA 1980 07 17 U18 11.53 (+1.8) Khamica BINGHAM (94) Brampton T.F.C.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 Olympic Games Statistics
    2016 Olympic Games Statistics - Women’s HJ by K Ken Nakamura Records to look for in Rio de Janeiro: 1) Can Chaunte Lowe win first gold for US since 1988 when Ritter won? 2) Can Beitia win first WHJ medal for ESP in OG? Summary Page: All time Performance List at the Olympic Games Performance Performer Height Name Nat Pos Venue Year 1 1 2.06 Yelena Slesarenko RUS 1 Athinai 2004 2 2 2.05 Stefka Kostadinova BUL 1 Atlanta 1996 2 2 2.05 Tia Hellebaut BEL 1 Beijing 2008 2 2 2.05 Blanka Vlasic CRO 2 Beijing 2008 2 2 2.05 Anna Chicherova RUS 1 London 2012 Lowest winning height since 1984: 2.01 by Yelena Yelesina (RUS) in 2000 Margin of Victory Difference Height Name Nat Venue Year Max 14cm 1.85 Iolanda Balas ROU Roma 1960 10cm 1.90 Iolanda Balas ROU Tokyo 1964 Min 0cm 2.05 Tia Hellebaut BEL Beijing 2008 2.00 Yelena Yelesina RUS Athinai 2000 1.68 Alice Coachman USA London 1948 1.60 Ibolya Csak HUN Berlin 1936 1.657 Jean Shiley USA Los Angeles 1932 Highest jump in each round Round Height Name Nat Venue Year Final 2.06 Yelena Slesarenko RUS Athinai 2004 Qualifying 1.96 Svetlana Radzivil UZB London 2012 1.95 Styopina, Cloete, Hellebaut Beijing 2004 Highest non-qualifier for the final Height Position Name Nat Venue Year 1.92 Kivimyagi, Rifka, Veneva Beijing 2004 Quintero, Lapina, Vlasic Athinai 2000 Best Marks for Places in the Olympics Pos Height Name Nat Venue Year 1 2.06 Yelena Slesarenko RUS Athinai 2004 2 2.05 Blanka Vlasic CRO Beijing 2008 3 2.03 Anna Chicherova RUS Beijing 2008 Svetlana Shkolina RUS London 2012 4 2.01 Yelena Slesarenko RUS Beijing
    [Show full text]
  • Kenneth Morgan Golden 23 November 2020 University of Utah, Department of Mathematics 155 S
    Kenneth Morgan Golden 23 November 2020 University of Utah, Department of Mathematics 155 S. 1400 E., RM 233, Salt Lake City, UT 84112−0090 801−581−6176 (office) 801−581−6851 (department) [email protected] www.math.utah.edu/∼golden Education B.A. 1980 Dartmouth College, Mathematics and Physics M.S. 1983 New York University, Courant Institute, Mathematics Ph.D. 1984 New York University, Courant Institute, Mathematics Employment 1984−87 NSF Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Fellow, Rutgers University 1987−91 Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Princeton University 1991−96 Associate Professor of Mathematics, University of Utah 1996−17 Professor of Mathematics, University of Utah 2007− Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah 2017− Distinguished Professor of Mathematics, University of Utah Professional Summary • Visiting Positions: Institut des Hautes Etudes´ Scientifiques (IHES),´ Stanford University Math Department, Universit`adi Roma 1 Math Department, Universit`adi Napoli Physics De- partment, Moscow Civil Engineering Institute, Universit´ede Provence Aix-Marseille 1 Math Department, Universidade de Sa~oPaulo Math Department, Instituto Nacional de Matem´atica Pura e Aplicada (IMPA), Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Mathematics and Physics Departments, and Universit´ede Paris Nord Math Department. • Research Interests: Sea ice, mathematics of climate, composite materials, percolation theory, homogenization for partial differential equations, phase transitions and statistical mechanics,
    [Show full text]
  • 2002 Commonwealth Games Athletics
    2002 Commonwealth Games Athletics - Mens 100m # Name Country Result (seconds) Gold Kim Collins St. Kitts & Nevis 9.98 Silver Uchenna Emedolu Nigeria 10.11 Bronze Pierre Browne Canada 10.12 4 Deji Aliu Nigeria 10.15 4 Dwight Thomas Jamaica 10.15 6 Jason John Gardener England 10.22 7 Mark Lewis-Francis England 10.54 8 Dwain Anthony Chambers England 11.19 - Abdul Aziz Zakari Ghana 10.17, 5th SF1 - Nick Macrozonaris Canada 10.29, 6th SF1 - Michael Frater Jamaica 10.30, 7th SF1 - Brian Dzingai Zimbabwe 10.59, 8th SF1 - Asafa Powell Jamaica 10.26, 5th SF2 - Eric Nkansah Appiah Ghana 10.29, 6th SF2 - Anson Henry Canada 10.34, 7th SF2 - Joseph Batangdon Cameroon 10.37, 8th SF2 2002 Commonwealth Games Athletics - Mens 200m # Name Country Result (seconds) Gold Frank "Frankie" Fredericks Namibia 20.06 Silver Marlon Devonish England 20.19 Bronze Darren Andrew Campbell England 20.21 4 Dominic Demeritte Bahamas 20.21 5 Abdul Aziz Zakari Ghana 20.29 6 Morne Nagel South Africa 20.35 7 Joseph Batangdon Cameroon 20.36 8 Christian Sean Malcolm Wales 20.39 - Marvin Regis Trinidad & Tobago 21.06, 5th SF1 - Jermaine Joseph Canada 21.09, 6th SF1 - Douglas "Doug" Turner Wales 21.11, 7th SF1 - Ioannis Markoulidis Cyprus 21.16, 8th SF1 - Stephane Buckland Mauritius 20.61, 5th SF2 - Chris Lambert England 21.02, 6th SF2 - Ricardo Williams Jamaica 21.13, 7th SF2 - Dallas Roberts New Zealand 21.17, 8th SF2 2002 Commonwealth Games Athletics - Mens 400m # Name Country Result (seconds) Gold Michael Blackwood Jamaica 45.07 Silver Shane Niemi Canada 45.09 Bronze Avard Moncur
    [Show full text]
  • Outdoor Ontario Provincial Records
    ONTARIO OUTDOOR RECORDS - WOMEN As on November 14, 2019 p = pending ratification (number codes explained below) h = hand timing Explanation of Number Codes for Pending Records: p Ratifiable at next AO Board meeting p(2) Copy of birth certificate required p(3) Officials' verification form required (heights accurately measured, implements checked?) p(4) Nationality/residence at time of performance needs to be verified p(5) Performance information incomplete p(6) Verification of results required p(7) More information on specifications required p(8) Record application form required For lists of discontinued events and lists of performances unratified for administrative reasons please email Randolph Fajardo <[email protected]> In the relay events, athletes whose names are in bold lettering are required to provide proof of age. For further information on this list please contact Randolph Fajardo <[email protected]> Note: As of January 1, 2010, an athlete must have been a registered member of Athletics Ontario on the date the performance was achieved in order to be eligible for a record. Age Group Performance (Wind) Athlete Name (YOB) Club (Representing) City YYYY MM DD 80m U14 10.05 (+0.3) Chelsea AGYEMONG (00) Flying Angels Academy Toronto 2013 07 27 U13 10.67 (+1.1) Arielle TESSIER (99) York University TC Toronto 2011 07 23 100m All Comers 10.95p (+0.9) Sherone SIMPSON (84) Jamaica Toronto 2015 07 22 Open 10.98 (+0.8) Angela BAILEY (62) Etobicoke Huskies-Striders (Team Canada) Budapest, HUN 1987 07 06 U24 11.13 (+0.9) Khamica BINGHAM (94) Brampton T.F.C. (Team Canada) Toronto 2015 07 22 U20 11.21 (+0.0) Angela BAILEY (62) University of Toronto TC (Team Canada) Ciudad Bolivar, VEN 1981 08 15 U19 11.44 (+0.5) Angela BAILEY (62) University of Toronto TC (Team Canada) Philadelphia, USA 1980 07 17 U18 11.53 (+1.8) Khamica BINGHAM (94) Brampton T.F.C.
    [Show full text]
  • There Are Peaks and Valleys in Any Olympic Journey, and That Is Certainly True of Canada’S Bobsleigh and Skeleton Athletes During the 2013-14 Olympic Year
    Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton – 2014 AGM Chief Executive Officers Report With a stated mission of developing world and Olympic champions, Kaillie and Heather’s historic repeat as Olympic Champions was indeed the central achievement for Bobsleigh CANADA Skeleton. A recap of season by our media consultant, Chris Dornan, shows the highlights in review: There are peaks and valleys in any Olympic journey, and that is certainly true of Canada’s bobsleigh and skeleton athletes during the 2013-14 Olympic year. A team mixed with high-powered, medal winning veterans combined with a youthful energy and drive, the competition began in October for many of our nation’s best athletes in hopes of earning a spot on the World Cup and Olympic squads. Canada’s bobsleigh athletes led the way to the World Cup podium beginning with the season-opener in Calgary. Kaillie Humphries continued her electrifying medal winning streak with a gold in Calgary while reuniting with 2010 Olympic gold medal winning brakeman, Heather Moyse. Kaillie drove the dynamic duo to a second straight Overall World Cup title with three gold, one-silver and a bronze medal before successfully defending their Olympic title in Sochi. Depth may be the best way to describe the men’s bobsleigh team. The newly formed duo of Chris Spring and Jesse Lumsden wasted no time making a statement with a third- place finish at the Calgary World Cup. While they did not find their way back to the podium again last year, for the first time ever Canada had three men’s sleds all slide into the World Cup medals.
    [Show full text]
  • Working Paper No. 2011-20 Estimating the Value of Medal
    Working Paper No. 2011-20 Estimating the Value of Medal Success at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games Brad R. Humphreys University of Alberta Bruce K. Johnson Centre College Daniel S. Mason University of Alberta John C. Whitehead Appalachian State University November 2011 Copyright to papers in this working paper series rests with the authors and their assignees. Papers may be downloaded for personal use. Downloading of papers for any other activity may not be done without the written consent of the authors. Short excerpts of these working papers may be quoted without explicit permission provided that full credit is given to the source. The Department of Economics, The Institute for Public Economics, and the University of Alberta accept no responsibility for the accuracy or point of view represented in this work in progress. Estimating the Value of Medal Success at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games Brad R. Humphreys University of Alberta Bruce K. Johnson Centre College Daniel S. Mason University of Alberta John C. Whitehead Appalachian State University November 2011 Abstract: We estimate Canadians’ willingness to pay (WTP) for success by Team Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The Canadian government subsidized elite athletes in the run up to the 2010 Games through the Own the Podium program, which was designed to increase Canada’s medal count. WTP estimates from a contingent valuation method study using data from nationally representative surveys before and after the Vancouver Games suggest that Own the Podium generated intangible benefits equal to 2 to 4 times its cost. The aggregate value of the intangible benefits generated by the program was between $251 million and $3.4 billion.
    [Show full text]