"Own the Podium" (OTP) is a Canadian sport program with the goal of improving the Canadian medal count at the Olympic Games. It recommends sports funding for appropriate usage based on which Canadian sports have high medal potential.
The vast majority of summer Olympic sports have not qualified for OTP funding. However, since 2008 Taekwondo has been qualified to receive substantial funding of nearly a half-million dollars annually. Taekwondo’s inclusion was based on the excellent performance of our athletes at the 2008 Olympics, and Taekwondo Canada’s 2008 High Performance Plan which outlined a strategy for achieving sustained excellence in Taekwondo sport.
All OTP funding for Taekwondo was withdrawn on March 10. This announcement came as a shock to many coaches and athletes across Canada who were depending on it for continued high-performance development. Budgeted items which depended on OTP funding included several international tournaments for selected athletes, regional and national team training camps, Integrated Support Teams (medical, sports psychology, nutrition, physical preparation, etc.), and other athlete services. Another significant consequence is the loss of salaries for national coaching staff and contract coaches.
Olivier Pineau is the current Taekwondo Canada Athlete Representative, who over two weeks ago sent a letter to Canadian athletes and coaches explaining the importance of OTP funding and the possibility of it being lost. He reflects on OTP’s recent decision:
I feel it is a sad day for Canadian Taekwondo, as this recent run of events will undoubtedly have huge repercussions on the development opportunities for elite athletes and coaches nationwide. I wonder how the leadership of Taekwondo Canada can even attempt to justify such a huge loss to its membership.
At the end of the day, it seems like we’re taking a step back to 15 or 20 years ago, when athletes had very little financial support or travel, training, and competition opportunities. This is in stark contrast to the brilliant performances of our key athletes, whose support will now be considerably diminished despite their remarkable performances.
I’m at a loss for words, when faced with the enormity of this loss. All I can hope for is that this will trigger true and significant reforms in Taekwondo Canada’s governance, thus paving the way for a brighter future down the road ….
OTP Director Anne Merklinger has confirmed that Taekwondo Canada may again qualify for funding in 2012, however the organization’s current management isn’t performing adequately. In order to be reinstated, Taekwondo Canada will be reconsidered in the same capacity as all other national sports organizations that currently aren’t receiving OTP support. She also confirmed that some individual Taekwondo athletes and their coaches may be eligible for funding if they qualify for the next Olympic Games, and if they are ranked in the top four at World Championships.
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Definitely a sad day – however, not surprising.
The money is obviously squandered instead of going to the promises of “regional and national team training camps, Integrated Support Teams (medical, sports psychology, nutrition, physical preparation, etc.), and other athlete services.”
I am actually glad to a certain degree that it was withdrawn – as it brings to light the failures of the Association that have long been known but difficult to prove.
How is it that national athletes still have to pay for a portion of international competitions? In the hundreds of dollars, with the association refusing to release any financial details of the trip?
I too am not surprised that the funding was withdrawn. Of the so called half a million dollars, over half is spent on staff and coaching salaries. How much really goes to the athletes?
The problem lies in the OTP staff wanting to take complete control over how the money is spent and who they want to spend it on. A total of 6 officials, yet only 2 athletes were fully funded by OTP for the YOQ and Jr. Worlds this year. Why weren’t more athletes funded over officials? and how were the 2 athletes selected over the rest? These are questions we should be asking the OTP staff and we have a right to know.
If the money is being unfairly distributed and going to the wrong people, what is the point in receiving all this funding from OTP? Until then, individually funding athletes is the way to go. This way, only athletes who deserve funding will receive it.
“several international tournaments for selected athletes, regional and national team training camps, Integrated Support Teams (medical, sports psychology, nutrition, physical preparation, etc.), and other athlete services. Another significant consequence is the loss of salaries for national coaching staff and contract coaches.” Hahaha, really????
“I’m at a loss for words, when faced with the enormity of this loss. All I can hope for is that this will trigger true and significant reforms in Taekwondo Canada’s governance, thus paving the way for a brighter future down the road ….”
I agree with Olivier 100%, but we have a better chance of finding bigfoot as these changes actually happening. Did OTP give WTF Canada points that it wants to see changed for funding to be returned in 2012? I would love to see them if that is true. Next time you see the “mafia” thank them on behalf of all our athletes and coaches for me.