If the rumors are true and Alex Baumann is promoted to the role he has a tough decision to make in quick order. He has to decide if the Own the Podium program is a political program or a sports program.
Own the Podium is an enhanced form of sport funding - over and above a sports core funding - that rewards sports for success on the international stage. With a focus on excellence the one sport that has benefited the most from Own the Podium type funding is Alpine Skiing. However, Alpine Skiing has not produced a single Olympic medallist since 1993. Every other winter sport - aside from Ski Jumping and Luge - has had Canadian athletes stand on the Olympic podium since this time.
If Own the Podium is a sport program, why is it then that a sport like Biathlon (2 Olympic medals since 1993) receives little by way of Own the Podium funding while Alpine Skiing has benefited enormously ($10 million dollars in the last five years).
How about a sport like track & field. Following the 1996 Olympic Games the sport has seen but a single Canadian athlete stand on the podium but yet benefits enormously from Own the Podium type financing. Meanwhile, Canada men's wrestling program has been equally as successful as track & field in the course of the past 14 years but receives little.
The facts are that Alpine Skiing and Track & Field are sports that have a strong political presence. Meanwhile wrestling, and biathlon have limited presence in political forums. However, if the Own the Podium program is true to its mandate and it recognizes excellence -political importance should have little impact in determining funding.
We shall find out.
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