TORONTO – AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, released the following statement Wednesday regarding the announcement that Canadian Paralympic medalists will receive financial recognition for podium performances, beginning with the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
"AthletesCAN celebrates today's announcement of equal pay for Canadian Paralympic medalists, financially recognizing the hard work of our Team Canada athletes. This announcement demonstrates that our sport system is making progress towards valuing Paralympians and Olympians equally by rewarding them for their success in a meaningful and equitable way. The costs and expenses athletes bear when training makes this additional funding particularly valuable to Paralympic athletes, and will be a difference maker to their athlete experience. This recognition of the commitment and hard work that goes into representing our nation on the world stage is long overdue."
Canadian parasport national team athletes, alongside their non-parasport counterparts are invited to register and attend the upcoming AthletesCAN National Team Athlete Town Halls this winter to discuss their athlete experiences. All Town Halls are taking place at local members of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network. A full schedule of Town Halls is available here.
About AthletesCAN
AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, is the only fully independent and most inclusive athlete organization in the country and the first organization of its kind in the world. As the voice of over 6,000 current and recently retired Canadian national team athletes, AthletesCAN membership spans 68 sports across the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan/Parapan American, and Commonwealth Games, and those currently funded by Sport Canada competing at Senior World Championships.
AthletesCAN ensures an athlete-centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture, through educational resources, support, training and professional development. Follow us on social @AthletesCAN and Join #TheCollective today.
For more information, please contact:
Alan Hudes
Manager, Communications and Sport Partnerships
AthletesCAN
613-526-4025 Ext. 224
[email protected]