CORNWALL — The Ontario government is set to invest over $9 million to support tomorrow’s Olympic and Paralympic champions and coaches in their high-quality training and performance programming, delivered by sport partners, like the Canadian Sport Institute of Ontario (CSIO) and the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO).

“Every athlete dreams of standing on the podium after winning a world-class competition,” said Jim McDonell, Member of Provincial Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. “With the recently announced investments in high-quality training and performance programming delivered by our sport partners – the Canadian Sport Institute of Ontario and the Coaches Association of Ontario – and some grit, hard work and dedication, one of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry’s athletes might find themselves living that dream. All of us will be cheering them on, like we have in recent years for our Olympians, gymnast Melanie Banville, hockey player Lori Dupuis and soccer player Christina Julien.

An $8.2 million investment in CSIO over two years will provide top-quality training and development to emerging or existing Canadian Olympic or Paralympic Team members and many of Ontario’s provincial sport organizations. The CAO will receive $1.1 million this year to support coach education, training and professional development. These investments will support athletes competing at the highest level of international competition, in events like the Pan/Parapan American Games, the Commonwealth Games and at the professional level with athletes like recent US Open tennis champion, Bianca Andreescu.

“Ontario offers the world in one province, making it one of the best places to live, train and compete as an athlete,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “Our government will continue to support athletes in their pursuit of excellence and we look forward to celebrating their success at the 2020 Ontario Summer Games.”

Quick facts:

CSIO is one of four Canadian Sport Institutes in Canada, and provides technical, training and coaching support for Team Ontario.

The 2020 Ontario Summer Games in London will welcome over 3,400 participants and their families and feature 19 events.

Ontario is supporting the 2021 Canada Games by committing to a cost-shared investment of $29 million for the construction of new sport facilities, which will support athletes and bring new jobs to Niagara region.

Scroll down to share this article. Scroll down to search nationvalleynews.com. Scroll down to comment.

