Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic Funding Shortfall highlights the Need for new Athlete Support Models

Athletes shouldn’t have to choose between chasing their dreams and affording them.

Right now, that reality feels closer than ever.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees reported a funding crisis for Olympic and Paralympic sport. The latest Canadian federal budget announcement included no new core funding for national sport organizations, which haven’t seen an increase since 2005. With costs rising and sponsorships dropping, many athletes are now paying out of pocket to represent their country on the world stage.

We’ve seen what that looks like up close. When we worked with members of Canada’s Women’s Eight, who won silver in Paris, we saw the contrast between excellence and the unseen grind behind it: early mornings, endless travel, hours on the erg, and a financial reality that rarely matches the level of their success.

At Back The Team, our name says exactly what we do.

A portion of every mentorship registration goes directly to the Olympian or Paralympian mentor, helping them receive meaningful financial compensation to continue their training while inspiring the next generation. Families invest in meaningful mentorship and Olympic inspiration for their kids, and athletes receive real, tangible financial support for the journey ahead.

Because backing the team behind the dream isn’t just our name, it’s who we are.

For media & press related inquiries, please contact info@backtheteam.org