Melissa Lotholz, OLY’s Post

It is interesting to learn that: 📌More than half of Canadians 15 and older participated in sport in 2023, 📌Sport is the number one form of civic engagement for Canadians 📌Sport tourism generated $7.4B for Canada’s Economy in 2019 📌A 1% increase in physical activity can save a $1B a year

Incredible support from our community to push for an increase in funding for Canadian National Team members. I had the opportunity to meet fellow athletes at Game Plan Day (Game Plan | Plan de Match) hosted by Deloitte, where we discussed career away from sport and the financial obstacles of being a full time athlete (regardless of being a development athlete or an Olympian). I am AMAZED at the support I have received joining Volleyball Canada this year, and even the little funding is an absolute blessing. BUT at this level of commitment, I've learned it is very much a full time job, making it a puzzle on how to find time and solutions to cover cost of living and athletic expenses. Here are just a few direct ways this can impact Canadian athletes: - Security to drop one of the few side jobs they work - More than 5 hours of sleep with no more late night coaching gigs - Ability to compete in 1 or 2 more events for world ranking - Less stress on the mind and the body, minimizing risk of injury - Freedom to afford appropriate quality of food, supplements, care, equipment, etc. - More time to build their personal brand and sponsorships - More time spent towards their athletic development All factors that increase the probability of seeing a maple leaf on the podium. This support will allow us to better focus our well known hard work solely into our development and future representing Canada. This budget doesn't just effect National Team athletes, it's building pride and a stronger future for Canadian athletics as a whole at every level. Carla Qualtrough, Chrystia Freeland, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Olympic Foundation, Canadian Paralympic Committee

U.S., France move closer to hosting Winter Olympics, Paralympics The International Olympic Committee’s executive board made a bid from the French Alps region its top choice to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Salt Lake City its pick for the 2034 Winter Games, pushing both toward a formal approval vote next summer. Under new procedures for picking Olympic host cities, the French and Salt Lake City Olympic and Paralympic bids will enter several months of what the IOC calls “targeted dialogue” during which IOC executives will work only with leaders from those two proposals to streamline their bids, find cost savings and clean up potential problems before being presented to the IOC’s main session in July in Paris. Though either bid could fall apart before it reaches the IOC vote, the executive board’s decision to advance them to targeted dialogue means they are almost certain to be selected next summer. The IOC’s choice of Salt Lake City to host the 2034 Games was expected. The city’s bid long has been seen as the most complete of any proposal for a future Winter Olympics. But the selection of the French Alps region surprised many, mainly because little is known about the proposal, which seemed to arrive late in the process. Bids from Sweden and Switzerland appeared to have more momentum entering Wednesday’s meeting. The executive board also made the unusual decision to enter into exclusive dialogue with the Swiss bid for the 2038 Winter Olympics, essentially designating it as the preferred host that year. I personally think International Olympic Committee – IOC should should pick Salt Lake City. It already has the infrastructure from the 2002 Winter Games. Too many Olympic and World Cup venues are being abandoned/not used. Let's not keep doing this , let's be smart. So pick Salt Lake City for the 2030 or 2034 Winter Games!!! Stoss also praised Salt Lake City for what he described as “a great master plan” built around existing arenas in Salt Lake City and venues in nearby Park City, many left over from the 2002 Games as well as “experience in [the] U.S. of hosting major international events in most Olympic winter sports.” He added that Salt Lake City, which promises its Games will be paid for with private funds, had “exceptional public support at the highest level of national, state and city government #wintergames2030 #wintergames2034 #bringbackwintergamestosaltlakecity #olympicgames #Ioc #maketherightchoice #saltlakecity2030 #saltlakecity2034

🏅 Some reflections from myself, richard baka & Tracy Taylor on recent Olympic funding proposal. The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has unveiled a bold new strategy to boost financial support for sports, from table tennis to basketball. By allowing individual sports to market the Olympic rings independently, the AOC aims to inject much-needed revenue into sports facing financial challenges. However, challenges lie ahead, including capability gaps and governance hurdles. Nevertheless, with an estimated $2 billion needed by 2032 for high-performance sports, innovative funding solutions are crucial. Learn more about this dynamic shift in Olympic funding and its potential impact on sports across Australia. #Olympics #SportsFunding #Australia2032 🇦🇺🏓🏀🏊♂️ The University of Queensland International Olympic Committee – IOC

The prize money awarded to athletes at the Olympic Games, particularly in track and field events, has been a topic of discussion and debate. Historically, the Olympics have not offered prize money to medalists, as the focus has been on promoting amateurism and the spirit of competition. For track and field athletes, the lack of prize money at the Olympics means that many rely on sponsorships, endorsements, and performance bonuses to support their training and competition expenses. This can create financial challenges for athletes, especially those from countries with limited funding for sports. On the other hand, some argue that the absence of prize money at the Olympics helps maintain the purity of the games and ensures that athletes compete for the love of their sport rather than financial gain. It also highlights the idea of sportsmanship and fair play as the primary motivating factors for athletes. However, as the cost of training and competing continues to rise, there have been calls for the Olympics to consider offering prize money to medalists as a way to support athletes and enhance the level of competition. This could potentially attract more top-tier athletes to participate in the Games and provide financial security to those who dedicate their lives to their sport. In conclusion, the topic of prize money for athletes at the Olympic Games, particularly in track and field, is complex and multifaceted. While the traditional approach of no prize money has its merits in preserving the spirit of the games, there are valid arguments for exploring ways to provide financial support to athletes who compete at the highest level. Ultimately, finding a balance between maintaining the integrity of the Olympics and supporting athletes' livelihoods will be crucial in shaping the future of sports at the Olympic Games. https://lnkd.in/egGsKynp

For most athletes, winning an Olympic medal is the highest mark of achievement. But as this year’s more than 10,000 participants vie to take home gold, silver or bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, one thing is for sure—they won’t be taking home any money. At least not from the International Olympic Committee – IOC, which doesn’t give out cash prizes to medalists. Some countries do dole out funds for winning Olympians, but for the most part, the earnings of athletes playing at the 2024 Olympics come from sports leagues and brand endorsements, with payouts varying significantly by sport. Read more on which athletes participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics are taking home the highest earnings: https://lnkd.in/eDuYk5Rp

This article delves into the correlation between national sporting success and societal development. National success in sports often reflects a country's broader strengths. Countries excelling in sports infrastructure and coaching typically demonstrate strong healthcare and education systems. Wealth, democracy, education, and athletic prowess often intertwine, showcasing a holistic societal approach. In affluent nations, sports participation is widespread, with a select few achieving Olympic glory. #olympics

🏅 Looking back at the Paris 2024 Olympics, one thing is clear: the Games have evolved far beyond their amateur origins. Today, they are a stage for elite professionals who not only compete at the highest level but also command staggering earnings. This report by Sportico underscores how the Olympics is now about elite professionals with burgeoning financial success, competing at the top tournament. 💹 Names like LeBron James, Jon Rahm, and Stephen Curry competed as the highest-paid Olympians of 2024. Their financial success highlights how the Olympics have transformed into an arena where athleticism and professionalism intersect, showcasing athletes who are not just competing but thriving as global brands. 🏀 What is striking to note is the absolute dominance of basketball as a sport, featuring 13 athletes in the top 20 list! 💱 The modern Olympics are no longer just about the spirit of amateurism—they are a true testament to the power of sport as a business. #SportsBusiness #Olympics2024 #AthleteBranding #ProfessionalAthletes

With 2024 being an Olympic year, discussions around future Summer and Winter Olympic sites have become commonplace. Among those making headlines is Brisbane, Australia, the host of the 2032 Summer Olympic Games. Brisbane originally planned to construct a $1.8 billion venue, but they will now undergo renovations on existing stadiums instead. This new plan will be much more cost effective for the city, but it has raised questions over whether the city has the resources to continue to host. While officials have stated that Brisbane will not back out, this would not be an unprecedented situation. Before the 1976 Winter Games, Denver backed out from hosting due to funding issues. Over the past several weeks, Janelle Wells, Ph.D. has given our class at USF VSEM the opportunity to hear from U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Each provided insights into the process of bidding on and hosting an Olympics, a lengthy process that begins many years in advance. This makes any talk of relocation, even if it is unlikely, quite urgent. Not only are there existing costs and future host opportunities at stake for Brisbane, but it would require an accelerated process to prepare a new host city. When considering solutions, a new host may need to be a city that has previously hosted the Olympics with existing infrastructure and experience. It will be fascinating to keep an eye on how Brisbane continues to prepare for the 2032 Olympics and how their plan to cut costs will affect the perception of their city and the Games. #GlobalWells #VSEM #SummerOlympics