Return

I thought things might be changing by now. Weren't we told so. Canada's amateur athletes were walking taller than ever following a historic performance at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Things had changed. We weren't just talking the talk but we were now walking the walk. Canada now had am amateur sport system that we should be proud about. At least that is what we were told. And then 2011 hit.



In 2011, former Heritage Minister Bev Oda was found to have altered a document that would have provided $7MM in funding to a Canadian Aid Agency - Kairos - http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/02/20/pol-oda-feb18.html. Sports enthusiasts should follow this story closely as it is the Heritage Ministry who oversees Sports Canada. Who knows what impact Oda had on the sports portfolio she oversaw. We will likely never know but I have questions.


And then there is the latest matter surrounding Soccer Canada. http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/937939--women-s-national-soccer-team-keeps-up-pressure-on-csa. At issue is a discrepancy in funding the two programs get. Players on the woman's national team say that they are not being compensated fairly and threatened to boycott upcoming matches until matters were resolved.


Then there is of course a recent survey examing the activity levels of Canadians. A survey in which Dr. Rosana Pellizari - a medical officer with the City of Peterbrough - described as "shocking". http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2984042. The survey itself found that only 16% of adults and 7% of children and youth meet the mimimum level of activity as deemed necessary by the Canadian Society for Excercise Physiology. This after we have been continously told that improved medal performances will motivate Canadians to get healthy.


After all is said and done maybe things aren't as rosy as we want to believe. I have returned.