By Anna Kyprianou, Contributor
“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet”, Bobby Unser
The Olympic Games represent the peak of success for many athletes. They train for years, pushing through setbacks, to earn their spot. But the biggest hurdle often isn’t competition—it’s funding.
As two-time Olympic javelin thrower Cyrus Hostetler said, “Sometimes the competition I face isn’t on the track, but financial. Every year it’s a losing battle. My paycheck doesn’t cover coaching, medical, equipment, or travel costs.”
To tackle this issue, global federations, including the IOC, have made changes. One major step was the Olympic Agenda 2020, where athletes are the focus of all 40 proposals.
Canada was one of the first countries to build a structured, athlete-centered funding system. Through National Sport Organizations (NSOs), Canada manages high-performance programs, national teams, competitions, and coach development. NSOs also support athlete bids for international events and work to grow their sport nationally.
Canadian athletes benefit from various funding sources to cover training, travel, and living expenses—including education. Most of this support comes from federal and provincial governments. One key program is Sport Canada’s Athlete Assistance Program (AAP), which helps athletes not only during their careers but also in preparing for life after sport.
To strengthen the relationship between athletes and NSOs, the Athlete Agreement was introduced. What began as a support tool has evolved into a formal contract. Five NSOs currently use the standard agreement, which Sport Canada plans to make mandatory across all NSOs.
While NSO funding is smaller than government contributions, NSOs are in charge of the High Performance Program. This includes managing national teams, hiring coaches, selecting athletes, negotiating for support, and arranging insurance coverage.
As sports become more commercial, national bodies must focus on supporting athletes and inspiring new generations. NSOs should build model partnerships with after-school programs, especially in underserved communities. They also need to embrace technology—offering free online training tools to make Olympic dreams accessible to all.
Canada’s model proves that structured support can reduce financial stress and help athletes thrive. Other nations would do well to follow its lead.
For a discussion of how the National Sport Organizations of different countries can help Olympic Athletes fund their careers, you may contact us at [email protected].