Lizanne Murphy is a two-time Olympian who competed at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games in basketball. She is in the Hofstra University Hall of Fame. From 2005 to 2016, Murphy was instrumental in the resurgence of the women’s national basketball team, helping Canada become one of the best in the world. She was spotted at an open try out by the Team Canada coach, and made the senior national team that would go to the Olympics.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity

What has sport meant to you and to your life?

I’m somebody who gets emotional pretty quickly so I don’t say it lightly when I say that sport saved my life. It really did. I come from an amazing family who believed in the importance of sport. My father who is now legally blind was a basketball player, and my mom grew up wishing to take part in sport, but never really having the chance. My parents had three kids. We were all going to be quite tall, all of us now over six feet, and my  mom’s dream was for us to grow up feeling comfortable in our bodies. Both my parents knew they wanted sport to be a part of family life, and pretty quickly had all three kids enrolled in almost all of the sports offered in our city. My dad put up a basketball net in our front yard off the driveway, we played soccer in the back, and did gymnastics all over the house. All of that helped me become one of the best shooters in Canada.

I had an amazing experience at Hofstra University in the NCAA, one that helped me get to the Olympic stage, but it was also very intense and for many reasons unhealthy. When I started playing for Team Canada, I found an environment where I could be myself and pursue excellence with an incredible group of people. I’m someone who brings the energy.  I have an intensity about me and that got me into trouble at times. I was hot and cold, wore my heart on my sleeve and didn’t really know how to foster that. When I got to the national team, I was suddenly celebrated for that same energy, for being the heart and soul and leader of the team. That’s why I say sport saved my life, because I went from this place of total self doubt and unhealthy training methods to realizing I have something the world needs, and a shared common goal to grow women’s basketball in Canada.

You had a long successful career on the national team and played professionally in many countries including as a star in France.  What led you to the COC?

I was ready to go back to France when I got a random e-mail in 2017 asking me if I wanted to be part of the Canada C3 expedition, part of the Canada 150 project.  It was a retired icebreaker ship that sailed around Canada’s three coasts all the way to Victoria in 150 days. I was invited as an athlete. On the ship we had teachers, parents, scientists, Indigenous leaders, and really promising youth doing cool things in their schools. It was a life-changing experience to increase understanding  about reconciliation, community and protection of the environment. In my time from PEI to Newfoundland, we visited First Nations communities, protected parks and learned a lot about the environment on Canada’s East Coast. I hadn’t learned about residential schools before that trip because it wasn’t something we were taught in school.  One of my good friends on the ship was  Marie Wilson, who was one of the three commissioners of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  When we visited those communities, I instantly connected to people there because of basketball and many people’s shared love of the game. While off the coast on the Atlantic Ocean, I actually called my agent and said I wasn’t going back to France. It was on that ship I realized there’s more to life and that while basketball has been incredible to me, my heart wasn’t in it to keep performing at the highest level. I’m someone that wants to have an impact. It is maybe the thing that has defined everything I do. I wanted to be back in Canada and to make a difference here.

I was also part of the RBC Olympians program at that time, which connected me to 200 schools in Quebec and around Canada.  I went around getting kids to try basketball and got them to believe in themselves.  I found that work so fulfilling.  It was through one of my RBC Olympians events that I ran into my Game Plan advisor, helping me with my transition out of sport.  She connected me to Eric Myles, Chief of Sport at the COC, and they both said now that you’re home, you should work in sport. We have some jobs available, you should apply. I wasn’t sure, but felt like this was a sign and something I had to explore and that led me here.

Tell us about your role?

I’ve been very fortunate to be promoted through the ranks four times.  I’m now Director of Sports System and Athlete Relations.  It’s part of the System Excellence team within the Sport Department at the Canadian Olympic Committee. We work with National Sport Organizations on improving things like their governance, safe sport, their athlete relations and how the athlete voice is showing up in their organizations.  We also assist them with the pipeline of their leadership, plus their diversity, equity and inclusion.  Since 2013, the COC has invested more than $40 million to help NSOs on these important initiatives.

What did you learn from your basketball career that you bring into your role today, especially with respect to resources, with National Sport Organizations currently facing dire straits and asking for increased federal funding?

My basketball experience taught me a lot.  Winning the gold medal at the Pan American games in Toronto in 2015 was pretty cool. We beat the US for the first time. Looking back at my career, the thing that I’m most proud of is everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve strived to leave it in a better place than when I found it. When I joined the national team in 2005, we were not doing well.  We hadn’t been to an Olympics in years.  There was very little funding.  Our staff had to get very creative to find training opportunities and people to help us get to the world class stage we all believed we belonged on. With very little resourcing, our group fought and qualified for the London 2012 Olympics. When I finished my career, we were fifth in the world and the sport now has increased resources after many challenging years.

This story of under-resourcing is unfortunately very common in sports. I can tell you that national sport organizations are not exaggerating when they say they are struggling.  The budget for these organizations has not gone up in a number of years, even to keep up with inflation.  I think the thing that makes me pretty good at my job is that I have seen it from both a have and have not sport lens. I went from being part of the really hard stuff that happens to sports that have financial constraints to then qualifying for the Olympics and being part of a sport that’s more adequately resourced.  I very quickly learned the realities that national sport organization leaders are facing. In a sports system that is under-resourced, it is impossible to succeed everywhere.  Some organizations are having to make very difficult decisions daily about their staffing, competition schedules or development in order to keep the lights on.

We’re seeing a new era for women’s basketball, hockey and other professional sports.  How do you feel witnessing that now and what still remains to be seen on that front?

I’m not surprised and SO happy. We all know the value and quality of women’s sports and this is a moment in time that will be pivotal for generations to come here in Canada.  When I played professionally in France, we had a sold out arena for almost every game. I feel like it’s about time we have these leagues in Canada as well where women can build incredible legacies right here on home soil. And for that, I am so happy to have transitioned to a fan and parent supporting and taking it all in from the sidelines.   

Picture this: you’re surrounded by the electric energy of athletes and fans from every corner of the globe, all coming together to celebrate excellence, perseverance, and international friendship. As a volunteer, you’re not just a spectator; you’re part of the team that makes the magic happen. Whether you’re assisting with logistics, supporting athletes, or just making lifelong friends, your role is essential in ensuring everyone has an extraordinary time.

Here’s a glimpse into the experiences of some those who we’ve been lucky enough to have volunteering for the team behind Team Canada at Paris 2024.

Getting a Peek Behind the Digital Curtain

Every few years, our social media feeds light up with Olympic fever. We cheer on Canada’s best, dive into Team Canada’s posts, and keep up with the action through daily recaps—but have you ever wondered who’s behind all that digital magic?

I found out firsthand as a digital volunteer in Paris. It was like getting a VIP pass to the inner workings of the team that brings Canada’s Olympic story to life. One of my jobs was to keep up with the Opening Ceremony, spotlight the highlights, and fill in any gaps as events unfolded on screen. It’s a thrill to see your contributions pop up in real-time content on the website. Plus, being in the room with the digital team as they reacted to the Opening Ceremony—and jumped on potential viral moments—was unforgettable.

Building Friendships and Exploring the World

Volunteering has always been a passion of mine, and doing so at the Olympics has been a dream come true. Over three Olympic Games, I’ve had the chance to meet and work with people from all over Canada and beyond, forming friendships that will last a lifetime. 

Volunteering has also been my passport to adventure, letting me explore new countries and cultures. I’ve climbed a mountain in Rio to catch the sunrise, wandered through a fish market in PyeongChang, and stepped back in time at Versailles. The sense of community among volunteers is incredible—we’re all united by our love for the Olympics and the joy of supporting our athletes. The memories of seeing dreams come true, sharing in the pride of parents, and the camaraderie among volunteers are ones I’ll treasure forever.

Reconnecting with My Canadian Roots

When my Canadian mother suggested I volunteer with Team Canada, I was hesitant. Having never lived in Canada, I wasn’t sure if I would feel connected. But, to make her happy, I applied—and soon enough, I was on the team!

As the Games approached, my excitement grew. Being accepted to a Canadian university around the same time made me even more eager to embrace my Canadian roots before moving there. Volunteering at Canada Olympic House turned out to be the best decision. From the moment I donned my Team Canada uniform, I felt a deep connection to the country. Meeting Canadian fans, working alongside the team, and cheering on Canadian athletes made me feel more Canadian than ever. For the first time, I had a place that truly felt like home.

Rediscovering Canadian Athletes Past and Present

Living in Paris, I’ve been a bit out of touch with Canadian news, and I realized I didn’t know much about the current Canadian Olympic athletes—especially the rising stars. As someone who loves community service, I wanted to change that by combining my passion for volunteering with a chance to learn more about these athletes.

Joining Team Canada’s digital team gave me that opportunity. I’ve been tracking who’s competing, how they’re performing, and diving into their backgrounds. This experience reminded me how Canadians accept and support athletes with diverse backgrounds, reflecting the country’s own diversity. 

Consider Ilya Kharun, a two-time medal winner in swimming. Born in Montreal to Ukrainian parents and living in the United States, Kharun embodies the spirit of the modern Olympic Games and the multicultural ethos of Canada. The gold medal Andre de Grasse won in the 4x100m relay tied him with Penny Oleksiak as Canada’s most decorated Olympian of all time. Both of his parents immigrated from the Caribbean. 

Their victories are a testament to the strength found in diverse backgrounds.  

It’s been amazing to see my knowledge of Canadian athletes grow, and it’s so rewarding to feel like I’m contributing to a Canadian cause from across the ocean. I can’t wait to follow the careers of the incredible athletes I’ve gotten to know through this experience.

Tricia Smith is a four-time Olympian whose career highlights include a silver medal at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics, seven World Championship medals and a Commonwealth Games gold. 

A lawyer, Smith was elected to be a member of the IOC in 2016 and has won numerous awards including the Order of Canada. She has been a volunteer in sport for more than 40 years starting in 1980 as a member of the first COC Athletes’ Council. Smith is currently President of the COC, Vice President of World Rowing, Board Member of the Council of Arbitration for Sport, and Executive Committee Member of both the Association of National Olympic Committees and of Panam Sports.  

This interview has been edited for length and clarity 

What role did sport and your athletic family play in who you are today?

I was really fortunate to grow up in a family of five kids with parents who had been athletes, and who made sport a part of our lives.

My parents met in the gym at the University of British Columbia. My mom represented Canada at the Pan Am Games in basketball and my dad was a star university rugby player. They were young, active parents, and we kids were just as active along with them. We were made to feel that there was nothing we couldn’t handle – whether it was being towed on skis, holding onto water ski ropes behind the station wagon on a rare Vancouver snow day, playing neighbourhood scrub games on summer evenings, or learning to waterski along with all the neighbourhood kids behind a ski boat, which I think might have been built from a kit. My parents must have had a lot of energy! I saw them always step up in volunteer roles as well, largely in sport. 

We all swam competitively at some point. I don’t remember how we started but [it was] probably a good idea living next to the beach. Shannon, the youngest by four years, was by far the best. At age 14 she won a bronze medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. I was so proud of her.

So, idyllic beginnings?

For sure. And like many families, we also had some misfortune. We lost my brilliant mom in her early 50s to a rare brain disease and around the same time, my father had surgery to remove a disc. It was a pretty common surgery in those days but in the process the surgeon damaged his nerve and my dad lost the use of his legs. Then we lost both my brothers–Jeff in a motorcycle accident and Dean, almost exactly seven years later, in an avalanche. Both were talented, kind, and intelligent young men. Jeff was also a lawyer and he and I definitely shared the same sense of humour. Dean was a bush pilot, our guide in the mountains or on the sailboat he built. 

Losing them was obviously more than devastating, as if the wind was knocked out of you, and along with the challenges faced by my parents, for me, it truly put things into perspective. It made me appreciate what I had had, and what I still had. Not everyone is so fortunate. It also put things into perspective in terms of what matters.Bad things happen in this life, situations which are out of your control, but you can decide what to do next.

For me I think that has translated into not wasting time or energy on adding to the negative, and trying to give back in areas where I think I can make a difference. I’d like every kid to have opportunities like I did, to be made to feel anything is possible if you put your mind to it. 

I learned so much through sport, got my education, have had opportunities to work with exceptional people, domestically and internationally, and to create opportunities for young people where they might not have otherwise had them. I have had seats at decision-making tables in something I believe can actually make the world better.

You went to four Olympics. What are some of the highlights?

There are many but I will mention three.

Firstly, seeing my little sister win that medal at the Olympics in 1976. On reflection it was even more impressive in that she and others were competing against the dominant East German team, who we now know were part of their state sponsored doping program. In addition, support for our athletes at the Games in those days was really hit or miss. Even though she was only 14 years old and something like top 10 in the world in 5 events, her coach wasn’t selected, so he wasn’t even allowed to be with her for support, and there were no cell phones in those days. We can always do better, but I am thankful that things have changed for our athletes and coaches, in a positive way. 

Secondly, I will never forget the roar of the home crowd when we marched into the stadium as Team Canada at the first Olympic Opening Ceremony I attended in Montreal.

And finally, the time my pair rowing partner and I spent training in Italy with our coach for two seasons prior to the 1984 Olympics. As we were top 3 in the world, we were “A” carded and qualified for something like an extra $1500 for the year for special projects. Our special project was buying tickets to Italy after our coach, with no professional positions in Canada, took a job with the Italians. 

The first year he let us use his apartment and the second year we found our own. We traveled to all the season’s regattas on the bus with the Italians. They lent us a boat and bicycles, and our coach lent us his car when we needed to go to town for groceries. We were always on the podium at the season’s events and the World Championships. We worked incredibly hard, it was a lot of fun, and I was really proud of what we were able to accomplish on our own, with amazing support from our coach and the international community of rowing. I am still very close to our Italian friends from that time and the next generation of my family are friends with the next generation of theirs.

You were involved in the first Athletes’ Council for the Canadian Olympic Association (as it was called at the time) which emerged right before the 1980 boycott. Tell us the impact that had on you? 

Athlete representatives from every sport were invited for the first time, to a meeting with the Canadian Olympic Association. Very few sports had athletes’ committees in those days. I had been one of the two rowers who started an AC in rowing, so that may have been why I was chosen. 

We were asked what we thought about a possible boycott. I can’t say we were given a lot of choice.This was in the time of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Russia had invaded Afghanistan and we were told that the world had to collectively stand up to this threat and aggression. We were disappointed of course but the general feeling was that if we were being asked to do our part, then we should do our part. So, Canada went along with the boycott. 

Later, I came to understand how naïve we had been and that we had essentially been used.  Very little was done by others. Trade continued; exchanges continued. The sport boycott accomplished nothing. In fact, when I got back to university in the Fall, someone even asked me how we had done at the Games. That was a huge lesson. It sounds cliché but it is true that there is great power in sport but its value and unique power comes from engaging, not disengaging, bringing people together and building those essential bridges, not in building walls.  I have seen more positive change from that approach than from any boycott.

You have volunteered for more than 40 years in sport including as Vice President of World Rowing. Tell us about the work you did there with respect to gender equity.

Many things! It was a long process, so I’ll mention a few which were particularly key. 

First, when I became Chair of the Women’s Commission, I was able to lead a change in structure so that the members of the Women’s Commission came from all the other World Rowing Commissions. That created a dynamic of integration, whereby issues previously categorized as “women’s issues” were World Rowing issues, and no longer marginalized as the work of one commission. So, for example, identifying why there were so few female umpires and developing strategies to address this became the job of the Umpires Commission, not the Women’s Commission. Medical issues specifically affecting women became the job of the Medical Commission. Developing a balanced competitive program, the role of the Competition Commission, and so on. 

We also ensured that qualified women were aware of and provided the opportunity to be on the pathway to leadership. This ultimately resulted in election of women to leadership in Council and Council becoming gender balanced. We also commissioned a study of the history of women in the sport so we had a clearer understanding of how certain structures had developed and, if needed, how they could be addressed. We gathered data to show where we were, our strengths and weaknesses and identified ways to progress, including rule changes where necessary, and then measured and supported the changes with data. 

I have seen Minutes of World Rowing (FISA at the time) which document discussions about the belief that rowing could negatively affect women’s ability to bear children. When I first started, there were few women in leadership, women were still racing half the men’s distance and there were fewer women’s events. The Council is now gender balanced and women’s and men’s events and distances are the same. We built the foundation for those changes.

What do you think you bring into the role as President of the Canadian Olympic Committee as an Olympian? 

I had not thought about being President of the Canadian Olympic Committee until one of the board members pushed me to think about it. I thought I had enough on my plate with my other volunteer roles and in building a business. I didn’t really see myself in such a role. In the end, I was convinced I could contribute. I feel very fortunate to be President of the COC. 

Obviously, being an Olympic athlete is valuable for this role. I was an Olympic athlete many years ago, so a lot has changed, but I hope I can still relate. I understand that an athlete has to be creative in order to be the best they can be, often with extremely limited resources. I understand the importance and relationship between the various players in the sport system. 

This understanding helps ensure we set the right priorities to do what we can to support the athletes, coaches, and the system in the best way possible. If you’ve been through it, you get it. It probably gives me some credibility as well as the leader of the COC Board. People do light up when you tell them you are an Olympian.

I have also brought to the role, as importantly, my legal training and background as well as my experience in building a successful business over the last almost 30 years. I have to say, since retiring from my paid job, the volunteer part of my life is even more enjoyable. I am no longer constantly a little bit behind on everything!

When you took over as President of the COC in 2015, the organization was dealing with a tumultuous situation with complaints about a toxic culture among leadership. What was that like for you? 

It was very challenging, for sure.

In taking over as President at that time, I believed I could help address various issues. I remember I was working till midnight or later every day, between the COC and my professional job, but I never resented a moment of it because I could see a clear path to making things better. We commissioned an independent investigation and implemented every recommendation, many of which related to better governance practices. I do believe that almost any issue or problem in sport, and in many things, can be traced back to poor governance. That is why it is so important to get that right.

It is one of the things I’m most proud of in terms of what we did to turn the ship around after such a devastating loss of confidence by the Canadian public.  

At various multi-sport games, you often go from event to event as one of Team Canada’s biggest cheerleaders.  Why is that so important for you? 

I remember competing at major events, usually far from home, and rowing out to the start line, and how wonderful it was to hear someone say, “Go Canada!” In fact, it was so unusual that I remember one time even saying to my rowing partner “Who is that?!”.

Hearing “Go Canada!” or seeing the flag, I know what a difference it made for me. That’s why I always try to do that for our athletes. Plus, who wouldn’t want to go and see our amazing athletes? It is always a privilege. Cheering is easy.

Eric Myles has been involved in high performance sports since 1981. As an athlete, Myles won a bronze medal in the K-2 500m event at the 1987 Pan American Games, but after a series of injuries, he retired from competition at age 23. Since then, he has devoted his life to the sporting world, first as a coach and then as an administrator and a builder. From 1992 to 2002, Myles was a director in the education sector where he had a big impact, including in the sport études programs. In 2002, he became Executive Director of Quebec en Forme, an organization that promotes an active and healthy lifestyle across the province. He joined the COC as Chief Sport Officer in 2014.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What does your position as Chief Sport Officer entail?

The key part of my role is leading all the major Games, including the Olympics, Pan American Games, and Youth Olympics. But it’s important to note that we have evolved at the COC and do more than simply deliver the Games. We are also facilitators, leading from the back, sometimes even in areas where some might be surprised to see the COC playing a role.

That’s evident in the second pillar of my work – the improvement of the Canadian sport system. When I joined in 2014, this was what I was hired to do. At that time, the notion of capacity building, or building relations and better governance with National Sport Organizations (NSOs), was not part of the COC mandate. We have been more precise in finding ways to improve the system with athlete leadership at the forefront. So, for example, working with our Athletes’ Commission and helping athletes to join different boards. Another thing close to my heart was the development of Game Plan to offer a number of tools and resources to help athletes feel at at their best both on and out of the field of play, to stay involved longer in sport and retire healthy, knowing they have the necessary tools to prepare to be and become positive citizens at every stage of their career. Years ago, I experienced a very tough transition when I ended my journey as an athlete and so I am very proud that athletes now have access to a program like this.

The newest aspect of the role is health and wellness. The COC used to have a Chief Medical Officer (CMO) who would work from contract to contract at Games. Coming out of the pandemic, I was looking for ways to improve on this. Since March 2023, we have a full-time CMO, Dr. Mike Wilkinson. His role is not just with the COC but he works with the sports system as a whole to ensure we have healthy athletes. A big part of his mandate is to have a clear network with other CMOs at the National Training Centres to provide support for the wellbeing of our athletes. 

If we really want to improve in this health and wellness space, I felt we needed to have stability. When an athlete gets injured, they need to know they’re not stuck on their own. We have developed a network of specialists to help athletes with their physical and mental health. The other important part of the role is building a safe environment. This holistic vision of developing and supporting athletes is key to bringing us to a better place by helping athletes perform better and have longer careers. 

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your time at the COC?

I’m really proud of the growth of the organization. When I joined the senior leadership team, I asked for carte blanche to change the culture of who we are and how we work. It was not just me; it was the team. It’s solid and anchored now. I brought in many Olympians who gave us instant credibility because of who they are, their lived experience, and the values they hold dear.  

Their knowledge and experience within the system are undeniable assets to best help our athletes to give their top performances. It only adds to how skilled and experienced our passionate team is. At the end of the day, their success is my biggest source of pride. 

Furthermore, with the restructuring dynamic of the COC, our organization stands out by the relevance and quality of the processes we have developed to care for our athletes. The training we offer, the policies we adopt, and our teams’ profile, all our steps are aligned with the same goal: to put the athletes at the centre of our work. We are a dynamic and innovative organization that unifies, both here at home and abroad and we are really proud of that as well.

How did your athletic and coaching career prepare you for your job at the COC?

The toughest moment of my athletic career was missing out on qualification for the 1988 Seoul Olympics by inches. I had been in Yugoslavia for the 1987 Summer Universiade, where my partner and I finished seventh. I was also a medallist at the Pan American Games in Indianapolis that year. Since Seoul was late in the fall of 1988, we had to be fast at different times of the year.  

Some of us ended up overtraining. I got really sick as I dropped too much weight and ended up being hospitalized. 

If I look at it from the perspective of what the COC is doing now with the CMO and the focus on health and wellness or programs like Game Plan, I would have had mentorship or support that didn’t exist then. Not to say that would have been the difference maker in my reaching the Olympics, but you never know. 

From there, I got into coaching, which is where I believe I found what makes me tick. I’ve realized, looking back at my career, that I love developing and that I’m a builder. I was part of a new club where people in the sports community were laughing at us because we were so small. Then two buddies and I became the first athletes from the club to go to world championships. I was always as happy, or even happier, to see my teammates succeed. That really defined my career. The builder aspect came to the fore when I later approached Alberta to help coach and develop the sport in that province. They had never had anyone on the national team before because they didn’t have the human resources to develop athletes. I helped start a club, and within four years, we had seven athletes on the national team, and three went to the Olympics. That was the turning point for me in wanting to work to help improve the system. 

One of the key things I’ve carried with me into my role at the COC, which comes from my background as an athlete in a team boat, is the belief that if you surround yourself with strong people and trust your partners along the way, that’s when the boat really glides and flies.

Talk to us about the preparation and planning the COC had to start ahead of Paris 2024. What was the biggest challenge to this day? Your biggest success?   

One of our big achievements is the role the COC plays at these Games. For the first time, we are members of the Coordination Commission, making our organization recognized and proactive in the eye of the IOC. I am also proud of the quality of the relationships we have built abroad, especially with the whole CNOSF (French National Olympic and Sports Committee) and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organizing Committee. Our actions and investments led to standing among the most influential NOCs even if we are not the largest ones. 

Paris 2024 is also a challenge to reinvent ourselves in the way we deliver Games. Each time we learn more and that will be the case again this summer in France.

Our biggest challenge remains the success of our athletes with their wellbeing and safety at the forefront of our approach. I am proud that the COC is now recognized as a performance ally. I wish that our partners and key stakeholders in the delivery of these Games share our vision. 

What are you looking forward to the most at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games this summer? How do you think these Games will stand out?

These Games represent many things for me. They are charged with symbolism for the French-speaking world and the close relationship Canada holds with France. It’s a great opportunity to strengthen these links between our two countries and to make our heritage shine. We speak beyond sport, including our common culture, historical links and strong symbols. Our swimming team will host a training camp in Normandy, not far from the landing beaches. Canada Olympic House at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie will be located right next to Club France at parc de la Villette. All these symbols are reflective of our continued commitment to the international and French-speaking sports movement.  

Paris 2024 will also mark our return to Games like those we experienced prior to the pandemic, in a world that has evolved and is filled with challenges. The world will gather around the most important international sporting event. I have no doubt that our athletes will be able to inspire and unify Canadians from coast to coast to coast. 

Finally, these Games are in line with the continual improvement of Team Canada’s performances. At each Games, our athletes never stop improving and I am convinced they will shine even more in Paris. I am looking forward to seeing the surprises they have in store for us.

Meet the Team Behind Team Canada

Team Behind the Team: The journey of Tricia Smith, from four-time Olympian in rowing to COC President

June 3, 2024

Team Behind the Team: Meet Eric Myles, 1987 Pan American Games medallist in canoe/kayak and Chief Sport Officer at the COC 

April 30, 2024

Team Behind the Team: Meet Olympic wrestling champion Erica Wiebe, now Manager of Athlete Relations, Safe Sport and DEI at the COC

March 8, 2024

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Erica Wiebe is one of Canada’s most decorated wrestlers. She is a two-time Olympian who won gold in the women’s freestyle 75kg event at the Rio 2016 Olympics, World Bronze Medalist, as well as a two-time Commonwealth Games champion. Erica holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Calgary, and an MBA from Cornell and Queens. After the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Erica worked for one of Canada’s fastest growing Fintech Start-ups, but soon found she was pulled back to sport. In 2023, she joined the COC as Manager of Athlete Relations, Safe Sport and DEI.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

How did you get into wrestling? 

Most of my earliest memories revolve around sport. I loved playing soccer, skiing, hiking, basketball, swimming — pretty much everything as a kid. In grade 7, we had a wrestling week in gym class. But there were no girls’ wrestling teams at that time. In grade 9, there was a sign posted outside the gym door for co-ed wrestling. My best friend and I joined the team and I just fell in love with the sport. It’s funny because in elementary school, the Olympics simply weren’t on my radar. When I started wrestling, women’s wrestling wasn’t an Olympic sport. But then in grade 12, after wrestling had been added to the Games, I wrote in my yearbook, “London 2012.  Watch for Me.” I enjoyed sport because I loved competing and I wanted to be the best — London 2012 didn’t quite play out for me, but I did make my first Games in 2016 — and that worked out well. 

What did you learn from your experience at the Rio 2016 Olympics? 

Ahead of those Games, I had beaten everybody in the world. But I had never done it when it mattered most. I didn’t even make the national team one year out! I really had to reconcile myself with that, like who was I? What defined me? On my day of competition, I woke up in the Olympic Village and I puked in the toilet. I was so nervous. But I was also so ready! I felt like I was 10 feet tall walking into the venue that day. I surrendered myself to whatever was going to happen. I was so prepared mentally, physically, and emotionally. I didn’t care about the outcome because I was 100% in control of what I wanted, which was to have my best performance. When I won the gold, it was surreal. There I was, an Olympic champion. There is so much weight behind that. It’s a title that defines everything about me but also defines nothing about me. 

I’ve never chosen the easy road but I’ve also been able to find joy in the darkest moments. One of my favourite quotes is, “Thriving is only something you know definitively in retrospect.” And that ethos translates beyond the mat. In my role today when I’m facing a lot of challenging things and when I’m feeling a sense of extreme discomfort, that’s when I know I’m in my sweet spot. 

Before you ever got to Rio, you were involved in the athletes rights movement and working with AthletesCAN as a wrestling representative.  Why was that something that was attractive to you? 

I put my name forward as a junior athlete to be the athlete representative at Wrestling Canada.  I just kind of have this endless appetite and curiosity for understanding how systems work. I also have a desire to make an impact and to build better systems. I got exposed to this whole movement of athletes in Canada through AthletesCAN and it really opened my eyes to the strength of the athlete community and how we could do things better together. 

I’ve benefited from the advocacy work of countless women and male allies who carved out a place for women in the sport of wrestling in Canada. And I’ve also witnessed some of the incredible leadership of athlete advocates who are my friends and my inspirations. I have a pretty relentless optimism which helps get through some of these really challenging topics. 

So, tell us a little bit more about your current role and what it entails?   

I’m the manager of Athlete Relations, Safe Sport and DEI, a newly developed role within the System Excellence team, which I started in April 2023. The role really is at the intersection of those three pillars. We think about building a stronger sport system in Canada with athletes at the centre of it. We recognize the need for sport environments that are free from maltreatment and are built on a foundation of inclusiveness, open to everybody who wants to participate. To me, it is just this perfect confluence of things that are very important for the sport system but also very challenging. It’s a space where I hope I can make a difference.

This role works in some of the more challenging areas of sport. Why is that important to you? What has sport meant for you as an athlete, and as a person?

I feel well positioned to support a lot of the great work that’s being done to elevate the sport system at every level and to make the changes required. It’s something near and dear to my heart because it’s been something that’s deeply affected me. But I also have this relentless, undeniable, unquenchable love, hope and belief in the power of sport at every level because I’ve lived it. I’ve been into communities from literally coast to coast to coast and wrestled and coached youth in those communities who share the joy of sport with me. I think of how sport is needed more than ever globally as our society has become increasingly disconnected, increasingly polarized, and how sport serves such a beautiful opportunity to come together and to challenge each other and to remind ourselves what we’re capable of, both individually and collectively. 

If you look five years down the road, what goals do you have for the future. What would you like to see?

I would love to see a Team Canada that reflects the diversity of Canada. Whether that’s geographic diversity or people coming from many different intersections of identity. I also think about new Canadians and the impact that immigration is going to have on the demography of Canada over the next 10 years and how do we integrate them into sport in Canada. On my team, we think about the inequities and difficulties some groups have accessing sport. We think about the challenges around being involved in sport for individuals who identify from equity deserving groups like racialized minorities, individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQ1+ populations. So, I think an outcome I’d like to see is all Canadians see themselves represented in Team Canada and have pathways to get to high performance with Team Canada – if that’s what they choose.  

It’s really cool to me when I tell people about my job, my friends, teammates, co-workers, others in the sport system, they all say this is perfect for you. When I ask them why, they say, it is all the things that you have been passionate about for years. That makes it so validating for me to be in this position. It feels similar to me to what it means to represent Canada; it’s an incredible honour but also an incredible responsibility, and I’m excited about both the opportunity and challenge.

Meet the Team Behind Team Canada

Team Behind the Team: The journey of Tricia Smith, from four-time Olympian in rowing to COC President

June 3, 2024

Team Behind the Team: Meet Eric Myles, 1987 Pan American Games medallist in canoe/kayak and Chief Sport Officer at the COC 

April 30, 2024

Team Behind the Team: Meet Olympic wrestling champion Erica Wiebe, now Manager of Athlete Relations, Safe Sport and DEI at the COC

March 8, 2024

Show More

Many Team Canada Olympians have extended their legacy by developing incredibly impactful initiatives within their communities. The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is proud to support 14 such projects this year with the fifth edition of the OLY Canada Legacy Grant.

This edition awarded a total of $100,000 across the 14 not-for-profit initiatives, each of which focuses on access to sport, safe sport, or sustainability in their communities. The selected projects fall into three categories:

1. Podium – helps to strengthen the sport system and support the athlete journey
2. Play – improves accessibility, encourages inclusivity and diversity among youth and communities at all levels of sport
3. Planet – promotes and supports environmental sustainability, the health of our planet, and the preservation of our sporting environments

Here’s a quick glimpse at this year’s grant recipients and the great work they’re doing:

Podium:

Carol Huynh OLY – Wrestling – Beijing 2008, London 2012

• Taking Down Barriers empowers the development of female wrestling coaches through panels, workshops and camps to promote diversity in the sport and create a safer environment for female athletes.

Jill Moffatt OLY – Rowing – Tokyo 2020

• MOMentum supports elite Canadian female athletes with any family planning needs during their preparation and recovery from national team events through grants, education, mentorship from fellow athletes, and legal resources. The project is in collaboration with Olympians Melissa Bishop-Nriagu (athletics), Mandy Bujold (boxing), Kim Gaucher (basketball) and Paralympian Erica Gavel (wheelchair basketball).

“It feels amazing to receive the OLY Legacy Grant. This grant empowers us to effect tangible change for current Olympians and Paralympians, by addressing a crucial resource gap in the realm of family planning. We’ve come together across different sports and with differing experiences regarding motherhood, so it is exciting to pool our creativity, curiosity, and passion, together to create something special.” — Jill Moffatt

Jessica Tudos OLY – Artistic Gymnastics – Los Angeles 1984

• Jessica Tudos’ FLIP IT hosts an educational retreat for female and female-identifying leaders in the gymnastics community. The event facilitates conversations around the promotion of allyship and the adoption of actions, behaviours, and practices in support of a more ethical and safe journey in the sport.

Play:

Caroline Ouellette OLY – Ice Hockey – Salt Lake City 2002, Turin 2006, Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014

• Girls Hockey Celebration is a four-day event in Montreal that connects Olympic and national team women’s hockey players with the next generation to inspire more young girls to play hockey and help them to discover opportunities in the sport. 

Phil Monckton OLY – Rowing – Montreal 1976, Los Angeles 1984

• The David and Mary Thomson HS Rowing Program introduces rowing to new Canadian youth, many of whom have had no exposure to organized sport prior to this program. Participants embark on a journey that takes them through a range of activities from swimming basics to advanced rowing, all with the underlying goal of building resilience and perseverance.

Brandon McBride OLY – Athletics – Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020

• McBride Youth United Association’s Mentorship Program is an eight-week mentorship program helping underrecognized, racialized youth cultivate a growth-oriented mindset and increase representation at the podium in various fields of play.

“I am deeply honored to be a recipient of the OLY Grant. The support of the OLY Grant is not just a financial boost but a vote of confidence in our mission. This grant will enable us to expand our reach and deepen our impact, continuing to empower and uplift the youth in our community through our mentorship program. ” — Brandon McBride

Charles Hamelin OLY – Short Track Speed Skating – Turin 2006, Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018, Beijing 2022

• Glissez vers l’Integration welcomes newcomers to the province of Quebec with an introductory skating course focused on community building and fun against the backdrop of the iconic Place Bell in Laval.

Laura Stacey OLY – Ice Hockey – PyeongChang 2018, Beijing 2022

• LS7 Sticks In For Charity Road Hockey Tournament is an annual event that engages the local community in a road hockey tournament, raising funds for charities that will help underrecognized youth enroll in sports programs.

“After receiving this funding I am looking forward to growing our charity tournament and raising even more money in order to provide kids with the opportunity to get involved in sports, get outside, be active, and live a healthy active lifestyle. My sister and I were very fortunate to be able to play any sport we wanted to when we were growing up and having this funding allows us to now give back and give others who are not as fortunate that same opportunity!” — Laura Stacey

Cendrine Brown OLY – Cross-Country Skiing – PyeongChang 2018, Beijing 2022 and Laura Leclair OLY – Cross-Country Skiing – Beijing 2022

• Féminaction organizes camps, trains ambassadors, and creates mentorship programs for female coaches with the goal of retaining female cross-country skiing athletes at higher levels. The program is shaped by the values of cohesion, sharing, mutual aid, and audacity.

Liam Gill OLY – Snowboard – Beijing 2022

• Liam & Friends welcomes young participants from rural communities in Alberta and the Northwest Territories where many Indigenous athletes face barriers – poverty, isolation, health issues, intergenerational trauma from residential schools, cultural barriers, and a lack of opportunity – that affect access to sport. Youth will be provided safe opportunities to socialize and have fun while developing leadership skills.

READ: Indigenous snowboarder Liam Gill makes life-changing impact on northern youth and himself through inspirational passion project

Mark Pearson OLY – Field Hockey – Beijing 2008, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020

• Field of Dreams is a summer series designed to engage rural, underserved communities along the Gatineau River with the sport of field hockey. The two weekends of programming will remove barriers to sporting infrastructure and create a safe environment to learn and participate in field hockey, with the aim of inspiring a love of sport and the Olympic Movement.

“I feel very fortunate to have been awarded an OLY Legacy Grant for 2024. To have the support of the Canadian Olympic Committee is energizing and it will allow me to bring this project to life. I truly believe in the power of sport as a tool to bring Canadians and communities together and in the spirit and values of Olympism to inspire the next generation and I cannot wait to bring the Field of Dreams project to life this year.” — Mark Pearson

Kelleigh Ryan OLY – Fencing – Tokyo 2020

• In collaboration with fencing clubs throughout Alberta, Eliminating Fences for Fencers will support Indigenous communities and young girls with the financial costs of introductory fencing programs to encourage physical fitness and skill development. 

Planet:

Julie-Anne Staehli OLY – Athletics – Tokyo 2020

• Inspired by the idea of giving running shoes another life, The ReRUN Shoe Project removes barriers to a more active lifestyle by distributing lightly used shoes that would otherwise be thrown away to under resourced youth.

Marion Thénault OLY – Freestyle Skiing – Beijing 2022

• Small Footprint, Big Jumps creates guidelines for individual athletes to become carbon neutral in their sporting activities while also pushing event organizers to apply those guidelines, starting with the FIS Freestyle World Cup for aerials in Le Relais.

The OLY Canada Legacy Grant is designed to reflect the three pillars of the Team Canada Impact Agenda – the COC’s commitment to making sport safe, inclusive and barrier-free so more young people can play and stay in sport. The organization has now provided a total of $345,000 in OLY Canada Legacy Grant funding since its inception in 2019.

Marie-Andrée Lessard is a three-time national beach volleyball champion (twice with her partner Sarah Maxwell in 2005 and 2007, and again with Annie Martin in 2009). In 2012, Lessard and Martin competed at the London 2012 Olympic Games. She joined the COC in 2015 and now oversees the Games team, responsible for sending Team Canada to each major Games.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How did you get involved in your sport?

My parents gave me the opportunity to participate in as many sports as I wanted in elementary school. I remember showing up for gymnastics when I was 10 and the club asked, “what do you want to do?” I told them I wanted to go to the Olympics. They said I was too tall. I was really bummed. I really liked it, but I didn’t want to do it if I couldn’t achieve my dream. 

When I got to high school the only sport there was indoor volleyball and so I signed up. There was a day when the coach asked what our objective was and mine was to represent Canada and go to the Olympics. The coach said, “You’re way too short for that.” I was thinking come on people, I’m too tall for gymnastics and now I’m too short for volleyball. But I was already far too deep into it to turn back and that coach lit a fire under my butt.

I continued to climb the ranks and was the final one to make Team Quebec. The coach told me I was the fastest and the most powerful but again I was too short. So, I just accepted that it was part of my story. 

Originally, I started playing beach volleyball to complement my indoor season. Then in 1996, it became an official Olympic sport and I thought “wow, this is great” and from then on, the path had been laid ahead for me to chase my dream. 

How did you get involved with the COC?

When I retired in 2012, I had a transition that lasted about two years. I had been a self-funded athlete so I always felt I was running my own little business.

One of the first things I did after retiring was publish a book -100 Athletes, 100 Recipes, with contributions from Olympic gold medalist Mikaël Kingsbury, 1984 silver medalist in diving Sylvie Bernier, and 14-time Paralympic gold medalist Chantal Petitclerc among others, including Bruny Surin, our Chef de Mission for Paris 2024.

In late 2013, the COC called me and asked if I’d like to be a part of the mission team for Sochi 2014. I accepted not really knowing what to expect because I had missed the preparation seminar. So, I got my visa to go to Russia and fulfilled the role. I guess it went well because a year later, the COC called to offer me a seven-month contract. It was originally an exciting in-between gig from some of my entrepreneurial ventures which has now turned into a full-time job eight and half years later.

What do you do now in your role as Senior Director of the Games?

My job is to work with the team to deliver the Games, whether it’s the Olympics, Pan Am Games, Youth Olympics, or any Games where the COC sends a team. We take care of registration, outfitting, travel, accommodation, and everything that pertains to creating an environment that supports the performance of athletes and coaches. We do this by working with high-performance directors or team leaders and managers from all of the National Sport Organizations that have athletes who are competing there. 

How do you find success in your role?

As an athlete when I went to London, I remember stepping into the Team Canada lounge in the village and feeling right at home. At the same time, I had no idea of the work being done to create that environment. Maybe it was being naïve, but I thought of course there will be Canada flags everywhere and someone is going to get me the snacks I like that aren’t in the cafeteria, things like peanut butter that some athletes crave. 

So, I learned that we really are the team behind the team that wants to make it feel seamless for the athletes. It’s almost like if we are noticed, it’s because we’ve done something wrong. 

At the recent preparation seminar for the mission team for Santiago 2023, you gave the opening speech to the team members and your message was that we need to do the best we can with the tools we have and we need to trust that all are doing the same. Does that come from your experience as an athlete? 

Hands down it does. How I approach leading my team and interacting with colleagues has certainly been influenced by this because I think there was a moment in my career where I questioned if we could perform in the world adopting this mentality. I realized it’s OK to be vulnerable. It’s OK to show up as you truly are, not know, and ask questions. 

At the COC, we set a very high bar. But this philosophy makes us even more powerful. We don’t shy away from looking at the dark places that we have in ourselves or in operations. Sometimes we need to stop and ask why we do it this way or whether it’s the best way. 

We need to remind ourselves that everybody’s out there doing the best they can with the tools that they have. As one of the best NOCs in the world, I think this allows us to perform at our best – when we’re not afraid to ask tough questions and when we’re not afraid to pivot if the situation requires it. 

After having coaches tell you that you couldn’t make the Olympics because of your size, how do you approach difficult conversations at Games with athletes for instance, after a performance didn’t go as planned?

Words matter. It’s a fine line between offering support and assuming something about someone and what they might believe about their performance. I always tread very lightly because I want them to feel like we support them as human beings. First and foremost, our job is to be there to ask what we can do for them in that moment and make them feel supported. 

What does it mean to the sports community that there are many retired athletes now working at the COC?

I hope that athletes feel like they have a voice from within and that we can paint the picture of what the athlete’s reality is. For our non-athlete co-workers, I think it projects that we are going to work hard, that we are going to be resilient, and we expect a lot from ourselves to honor the next generation of athletes.  

What have you learned since joining the COC? 

Having been at the COC since 2015, it’s been impressive to witness the culture shift and to have been part of that change. I have watched our leadership step up and lead with integrity and authenticity. That’s been a cool experience because sometimes you hear about toxic culture, and you don’t really know how you transform it. But I think we’re at a place where the culture at the COC is as healthy as it’s ever been. That’s something that I take away as a great learning as well for having lived through it and I’ve seen where we started from and where we are now. 

Meet the Team Behind Team Canada

Team Behind the Team: The journey of Tricia Smith, from four-time Olympian in rowing to COC President

June 3, 2024

Team Behind the Team: Meet Eric Myles, 1987 Pan American Games medallist in canoe/kayak and Chief Sport Officer at the COC 

April 30, 2024

Team Behind the Team: Meet Olympic wrestling champion Erica Wiebe, now Manager of Athlete Relations, Safe Sport and DEI at the COC

March 8, 2024

Show More

Rosie MacLennan is a four-time Olympian who made her debut at Beijing 2008. MacLennan captured Canada’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in trampoline at London 2012 where she performed the most difficult routine of the competition. She made history again four years later at Rio 2016, becoming the first trampolinist to ever win back-to-back Olympic gold medals and the first Canadian athlete to successfully defend a title at the Olympic Summer Games. At Tokyo 2020, MacLennan missed the podium by one spot – an outstanding achievement given she’d been on crutches and wearing a walking boot just six weeks prior, after suffering a severe ankle sprain and two torn tendons during training. MacLennan retired in 2022 and has sat on the COC Athlete Commission since 2018.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What has sport meant for you?

Sports gave me a playground to challenge myself and continuously improve. In many ways, sport is a microcosm of life as a whole. It gives you invaluable experiences in personal development in a way that for me was really exciting, energizing, and engaging. 

Sport has also allowed me to expand what I believed to be possible but with a realistic expectation of what it would take to push those boundaries to reach new levels. Some of my greatest Olympic successes came after my most profound challenges, often involving injury. It gave me the perspective that challenges can be valuable in life and create opportunities. 

What is the best part of being Chair of the COC’s Athletes’ Commission? 

One of the biggest privileges of this role is the opportunity to work with 10 other athletes (six summer, four winter) who deeply care about the sport system. I am not just talking about their own sport experience – they care about the sport experiences of athletes across Canada. I’m proud of the team that’s in place and how much they dedicate to deeply thinking about some of the extremely complex issues in sport so that we consider multiple perspectives when coming up with proposals or solutions. 

What’s the Athletes’ Commission’s relationship to the COC? 

We are elected to advocate and represent the voice of Olympic athletes around Canada. We are there as a sounding board for the COC in their decision-making. It’s a way for them to have a conduit and an access point to speak directly with athletes or athlete representatives. We are supported by the COC but operate independently in the sense that we don’t have to necessarily agree with their positions. We can certainly challenge them on some of the decisions that they make, and we try to inform their decisions the best we can based on the insights that we gain from the athlete community more broadly. 

Why did you get involved with the Athletes’ Commission?

I put my name up for election after Rio 2016 and was re-elected in 2021. It made me feel more comfortable to stay involved as an active athlete longer because I was developing skills for what might come next after I retire. It also provided a really great opportunity in an area I was passionate about and allowed me to pursue one of my core values, which is to have a positive impact on others where I can.

I know in many ways my sport experience was unique. I felt I had the support I needed. But I know that isn’t necessarily the case for all athletes across Canada. So, we are trying to create ways to systemically support more athletes. 

The Athletes’ Commission is therefore focused on ensuring a stronger pipeline of athletes, keeping them in the sports system longer so they can reach their potential, and advocating so that being an athlete is viewed as a valuable first career.

We’re also listening to athletes to be their voice on the issues that matter most to them

There’s obviously been a lot that’s happened in the sports world that has influenced our goals based on conversations we’ve had with athletes.

What has been the Athletes’ Commission’s role in the recent conversation around safe sport?

Safe sport and creating a system that is focused on a humanistic development approach has been critical for us. The Commission has five different focus areas and one of them is around the sports system and culture.

It is about looking at the systems and structures in place and how we change them to create a better environment. That could involve everything from coach education to ensuring athletes have an avenue through which they can report issues, to educating athletes about what is acceptable behavior and what is not, or ensuring athletes have access to mental health resources and other tools they require. We have been pushing to redefine success and to move away from solely counting medals. It’s a balance between understanding we want excellence in the system and ensuring that the means to get to those outcomes are not creating an environment of risk. 

In that space specifically, we were working directly with the COC and the Sports Minister’s office. In the fall, we provided them with specific priorities that we felt were necessary to ensure a safer environment for athletes. That included changes in governance structures for National Sport Organizations, more athlete representation, stronger mechanisms for reporting, and better accountability. 

What has been the biggest surprise for you in the work you have been doing with the Athletes’ Commission? 

I was an athlete rep for Gymnastics Canada before joining the Commission and I would say when I started, I didn’t know 90 percent of what I know now.   

Athletes need to be given the resources and the opportunity to learn how to become effective members of a Board of Directors. There are some that can hit the ground running and have meaningful contributions from day one. But others need to be encouraged and supported. It is a board position and athletes in that role should be treated as any other director on the board. And so, viewing them as equals and meaningful participants in that environment. They should be equipped with any information given to a new board member.

There are also many resources available. AthletesCAN has plenty of useful documents. The COC does as well through the Queen’s University Smith School of Business and athlete representatives can access them. There is an entire network of athlete representatives and Commission members that you can lean on and rely on for support, advice, or guidance. My message to them is that you’re not alone. 

What would you say to athletes interested in getting more involved in the sport system?

It has been so rewarding to be able to have an impact on athletes across the system. 

I really hope that more athletes consider becoming athlete representatives. I don’t know if it’s a call to action, but strong encouragement for athletes to put their name forward to explore what it might look like and mean for them.

It’s an opportunity to become a better athlete. But it’s also an incredible opportunity to get more skills that you can add to your resume for whatever comes next.

Meet the Team Behind Team Canada

Team Behind the Team: The journey of Tricia Smith, from four-time Olympian in rowing to COC President

June 3, 2024

Team Behind the Team: Meet Eric Myles, 1987 Pan American Games medallist in canoe/kayak and Chief Sport Officer at the COC 

April 30, 2024

Team Behind the Team: Meet Olympic wrestling champion Erica Wiebe, now Manager of Athlete Relations, Safe Sport and DEI at the COC

March 8, 2024

Show More

April 11 Update: General admission ticket sales are now open for members of the public who wish to visit la Maison olympique du Canada at Paris 2024 this summer. More information on how to purchase tickets, the pricing, the hours of operation, and what is included in your visit can be found in the FAQ below. 

Here’s everything what you need to know about Canada Olympic House at Paris 2024.

Canada Olympic House
Maison olympique du Canada 

What is Canada Olympic House?

Canada Olympic House is the home-away-from-home for Team Canada athletes and their families, as well as fans from Canada and all over the world. Paris 2024 will mark the return of Canada Olympic House for the first time since PyeongChang 2018, and at the Olympic Summer Games for the first time since Rio 2016. 

Canada Olympic House is expected to welcome a large number of guests over the course of the 2024 Olympic Games to enjoy competition viewing, athlete appearances, live performances, and curated food and beverage offerings.

Where is Canada Olympic House located at Paris 2024?

Canada Olympic House is located in La Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie in Parc de la Villette. During the Games, Parc de la Villette (the largest landscaped park in Paris!) will be known as the “Park of Nations,” a gathering spot for many National Olympic Committee hospitality spaces, including the host nation’s Club France. 

La Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie is the fifth most popular cultural institution in France and is set to be a hub of international celebration during Paris 2024. We hope to see you there!

How do I buy tickets for Canada Olympic House? 

General admission tickets to visit Canada Olympic House can be purchased in advance at house.olympic.ca. Tickets are priced at 30 € for adults and 12 € for children under 12 (including taxes and fees). 

When will Canada Olympic House be open? 

Canada Olympic House will be open to the public daily, 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., from July 27 to August 11, 2024. 

What does admission to Canada Olympic House include? 

Upon entry to Canada Olympic House, you will be able to enjoy Team Canada competition viewing parties, have an opportunity to attend Team Canada athlete celebrations, watch live performances, and participate in other fun events. 

Food and beverages will be available for purchase inside Canada Olympic House. 

What else is there to experience at Canada Olympic House? 

For the first time ever at the Olympic Games, CBC/Radio-Canada – Canada’s Olympic Network – will broadcast live daily directly from Canada Olympic House. 

There will also be lots of exciting Team Canada marketing partner activations, including: 

• Bell Connect booths and charging stations
• The Canadian Tire Celebration Arena, home to Team Canada athlete celebrations and unique viewing experiences 
• The official Team Canada x lululemon Pop Up store, where visitors can purchase official Team Canada products, including select Canada Olympic House exclusives 
• The RBC Olympic Games Morning Show on CBC, broadcast live from the RBC Spotlight studio set 
• The Petro-Canada Living Leaf installation, which will connect fans in Paris to fans across the country back home
• An official Teck Team Canada Ring viewing installation 
• The Toyota Start Your Impossible postcard station and photo opportunity 
• The Air Canada Flight Deck, where visitors can enjoy the Parisien summer on a patio
• The Sobeys Family and Friends lounge, exclusively for those closest to Team Canada athletes, where they can watch their loved ones compete 
• The Mondelez Create Your Athlete Card experience 
• Molson, Pillitteri, Mondelez, KraftHeinz, and General Mills products to bring fans a taste of home in Paris  

How can I find out more about Canada Olympic House?

Sign up to receive more information about Canada Olympic House at house.olympic.ca. A detailed programming schedule is still to come, so you’ll want to be sure you’re getting email notifications of future updates. 

If you have specific questions regarding COH, you can email canadaolympichouse@olympic.ca.

RBC Training Ground is a national program that identifies and supports young Canadian Olympic hopefuls. Since the program launched in 2016, 13 of the program’s alumni have become Olympians. Team Canada at Tokyo 2020 included eight RBC Training Ground athletes and another five competed at Beijing 2022. More recently, RBC Training Ground alumnus Pierce LePage was crowned 2023 World Champion in the decathlon.

Could you be next? Here’s what you need to know about the program.

What is RBC Training Ground?

RBC Training Ground is a free program designed to identify and support talented amateur Canadian athletes. At RBC Training Ground events, athletes undergo testing in areas related to strength, speed, power, and endurance under the watchful eye of professionals from the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, as well as National Sport Organizations (NSOs).

Athletes who are identified as having strong Olympic potential receive support from RBC in the form of funding, as well as mentorship opportunities.

Who can participate?

RBC Training Ground was designed with the fundamental belief that high performance sport should be accessible to all athletes. The program is free and anyone can sign up to compete at a qualifying event.

RBC Training Ground targets those within a 14-25 age range, capturing those with early and late-stage Olympic potential.

What kind of tests do they run?

Athletes are tested based on four categories of athleticism: speed, power, endurance, and strength. Not only do these tests evaluate overall athleticism, they help pinpoint a specific sport for which the athlete may be well-suited.

Among the tests are:

• 40-metre sprint (speed)
• Isometric mid-thigh pull (strength)
• Vertical jump (power)
• 20-metre multi-stage shuttle run, AKA the beep test (endurance)

Athletes participating via the virtual testing format – which anyone with an internet connection can access – are assessed using tests that require strength, speed and power. The evaluation consists of three tests:

• Running sprint (20m)
• Vertical jump
• Multi-stage fitness (AKA beep test, shuttle run, or Léger-Boucher)

What is the National Final event?

Based on the results and data gathered at all of the RBC Training Ground qualifying (and virtual) testing events, as well as subsequent sport-specific testing, the top 100 athletes nominated by NSO partners are invited to the National Final.

The National Final is the final stage of testing before the selection of RBC’s “Future Olympians”– the top 30 athletes who will receive continued support through the program.

This year the National Final will take place on December 2nd in Toronto. The RBC Future Olympians will be announced in early 2024.

Which NSOs participate?

RBC Training Ground partners with:

• Volleyball Canada
• Wrestling Canada
• Triathlon Canada
• Speed Skating Canada
• Rugby Canada
• Rowing Canada
• Luge Canada
• Freestyle Canada
• Cycling Canada
• Climbing Canada
• Canoe Kayak Canada
• Boxing Canada

How does funding work?

Athletes who are selected as an RBC “Future Olympian” will receive funding assistance to be used for travel, competition, training camp expenses, coaching, nutrition, or other sport-related costs. The funds are administered by the Canadian Olympic Committee directly to the athlete’s NSO.

How do I sign up?

Registration and the most up-to-date event information for all local RBC Training Ground events is available at RBCTrainingGround.ca.

Check out the top 100 here!