February 15, 2008

SUPPORTING ONTARIO’S AMATEUR ATHLETES

McGuinty Government Helps Athletes Reach Their Full Potential

COLLINGWOOD — More than 1,000 eligible amateur athletes in Ontario will receive funding from the province to help cover living, training and academic costs.

The province is also providing a $75,000 grant to Paralympics Ontario to help stage the 2009 Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships.

Ontario Minister of Health Promotion Margarett Best made the announcement in Collingwood at the 2008 Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships. The funding is part of the province’s Quest for Gold program.

“We are committed to our athletes and the role they play in inspiring Ontarians to lead active, healthy lives,” said Best. “We look forward to watching our athletes compete in many exciting competitions from the Beijing games later this year to the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics in our own country.”

Ontario funds amateur sport in two areas:

  • $7 million for direct financial assistance to eligible athletes. Each athlete will receive between $3,600 and $8,000. This is the third year in a row Ontario has provided amateur athletes with direct financial assistance.
  • $3 million for advanced coaching and training and high-level competition experiences.

“Through investments like the Quest for Gold program, the Ontario government is strengthening the province’s reputation for sport on the national and global stage and creating invaluable role models for Ontarians,” said Michael Murphy, Chair of the Sport Alliance of Ontario.

Key facts and background information:

  • The 2008 Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships is in Collingwood, February 15 -17.
  • A host for the 2009 event will be announced in the spring.
  • The Quest for Gold Lottery generates funding for the program, with $22.9 million directed to amateur sport since the lottery’s launch in 2005-2006.
  • Ontario provides more than $36 million to amateur sport and recreation.

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