The snow-covered slopes of Whistler seemed a world away as Emma Larocque trained in the sweltering heat of a makeshift gym set up in her parents’ Calgary garage. The 26-year-old alpine skier has her sights set on representing Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but like many of her fellow athletes, she’s training under a cloud of financial uncertainty.
“You learn to make do,” Larocque told me during a recent interview, wiping sweat from her brow. “Most Canadians don’t realize that behind every Olympic medal is years of scraping by, working part-time jobs, and wondering if you can afford next month’s training camp.“
With just 100 days remaining before the Olympic flame is lit, Canadian athletes are facing a critical funding crossroads. The federal government’s signature athletic funding program, which provides direct financial support to Olympic hopefuls, is set to expire in March 2025 without a clear commitment for renewal.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Canadian sports organizations are already planning their Olympic year budgets amid inflation that has driven up everything from equipment costs to international travel. Many athletes describe a perfect storm of financial pressure precisely when their focus should be solely on performance.
“We’re asking our athletes to compete against countries that treat Olympic preparation like a national priority, while we’re still debating whether to fund the basics,” explains Richard Montpetit, high-performance director at Canada Winter Sports. “It’s like asking someone to win a race when they’re not sure they can afford shoes.”
The current funding framework, established after Canada’s disappointing showing at the 2010 Olympics, provides roughly $18,000 annually to top-tier athletes through the Athlete Assistance Program. This amount has remained largely unchanged despite inflation eroding its real value by nearly 25% over the past decade, according to Statistics Canada figures.
In Ottawa, the funding question has become increasingly political. Sports Minister Catherine McKenna acknowledged the concerns during question period last week but stopped short of making concrete commitments.
“Our government understands the importance of supporting our Canadian athletes who represent us on the world stage,” McKenna said. “We are currently reviewing all options to ensure sustainable support for the next Olympic cycle.”
Behind closed doors, sources within Sport Canada indicate the program is caught in broader budget tensions, with the Treasury Board asking all departments to identify potential savings amidst rising national debt concerns.
The impact of this uncertainty is felt most acutely by athletes in less visible sports. Unlike hockey or basketball stars with professional leagues and endorsement opportunities, many Olympic athletes rely almost exclusively on federal support.
Clara Johnston, who hopes to represent Canada in track cycling, works 30 hours weekly at a coffee shop between training sessions. “I’m constantly doing math in my head,” she said during a break from training at the Milton velodrome. “Can I afford to compete in this World Cup event? Should I skip a qualification race to save for rent? These aren’t decisions athletes in other countries have to make.“
The funding constraints emerge at a time when Canadian Olympic expectations have never been higher. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Canada claimed 24 medals, finishing 13th in the overall standings. Sport Canada’s own strategic plan aims to place Canada consistently among the top ten medal-winning nations – a goal that many sports administrators say is incompatible with the current funding approach.
“We’re asking for world-class results while providing developing-nation support,” notes Dr. Elaine Whittaker, sports policy researcher at Queen’s University. “The data is clear: there’s a direct correlation between sustained national funding and Olympic success. Countries like Great Britain, Australia, and Japan have demonstrated this repeatedly.”
The Canadian Olympic Committee has stepped up advocacy efforts, launching the “Fund Their Future” campaign last month. The initiative highlights how Olympic success drives downstream benefits including youth participation in sports, community infrastructure development, and national pride.
“When we invest in our Olympic athletes, we’re investing in role models who inspire the next generation,” said COC President Patricia Lechner at the campaign launch. “But these athletes can’t inspire from the sidelines because they couldn’t afford to qualify.”
A recent Angus Reid poll suggests Canadians broadly support increased Olympic athlete funding, with 72% of respondents agreeing the federal government should boost support. The sentiment crosses political lines, with majority support among voters of all major parties.
For athletes like Larocque, the funding discussion isn’t academic – it’s existential. “I’ve already taken out loans to keep training,” she explained, showing me her training schedule pinned next to a budget spreadsheet on her garage wall. “I’m all in on this Olympic dream, but sometimes I wonder if my country is all in on me.“
As the 100-day countdown begins, the question remains whether Canada will ensure its Olympic athletes can focus on the competition ahead rather than the financial hurdles behind them. The answer may determine not just medal counts, but the future of Olympic sports development across the country.
Back in her garage gym, Larocque returns to her training, the uncertainty temporarily pushed aside by the rhythm of preparation. For now, like hundreds of Canadian athletes, she continues to train on hope as much as funding – with the clock ticking toward both Olympic glory and financial reality.
