Every donation of $20.10 will increase Team Canada’s hopes for medals at the Olympic and Paralympic games in Vancouver. The Own the Podium 2010 program is kicking off at
olympicfoundation.ca and the last $5 million of the program are being raised in this unique way, according to organizers. The program has $55 million from federal funds and a matching $55 million from private funds. Currently, the Own the Podium program is almost fully funded, less $5 million.
"In sports where a hundredth of a second can determine gold over silver and joy over heartache - the pennies, loonies and dollars donated to Own the Podium 2010 by Canadians of all ages will help give Canadian athletes the extra push they need to aim higher and reach further," said Nathalie Lambert, Olympian (short track speed skating) and Chef de Mission for the 2010 Canadian Olympic team and Blair McIntosh, Chef de Mission for the 2010 Canadian Paralympic team.
Own the Podium will offer Canadian athletes and support personnel additional training camps, advanced coaching, sport psychology, sport medicine and better equipment.