Canadian Paralympic Committee CEO calls for more investment after dip in medals – National
Canadian Paralympic Committee chief Karen O’Neill admitted Canada’s turnout at the Paralympics in Milan Cortina was unlike previous years.
Canada finished in eighth place with only three gold medals. In terms of overall medals, Canada placed six (four silver, eight bronze). By comparison, Canada had 25 medals, and eight golds, at the 2022 Beijing Games, finishing third in the gold medal position for the fourth consecutive Paralympics.
O’Neill was quick to say how proud he was of the squad, while also citing factors such as “incidents and injuries,” and Russia’s return to the fold. The Russians won 12 medals, and eight golds – only China (15 gold) and the United States (13 gold) finished ahead.
“It’s a little bit different but still, I’m very happy with the way the team did,” said O’Neill. “I would also say that it is a testament to how fast and developing the level of competition is globally in the Paralympics at the moment.
“I will say we’ve had a record top five, eight (finishers) and it’s a great time to see how the world is doing and what the rankings are like.”
As for the future, O’Neill stressed the importance of making strong plays that are “repeatable.” He identified the first-time honorees in judging the strength of the talent pool, as well as the top five and eighth place finishers.
But one issue, which has been a topic of discussion in national sports circles, has been discussed again.
“Continuing what we’re doing, investment is going to be key,” O’Neill said. “We are very grateful for government investment and corporate investment, but we must invest more if we are to continue to do well in the world.
“It’s clear from being here with the attention and intent of many countries around the world that we have to continue to grow sports in Canada, invest in sports and continue to add to what is already a good investment, but (it) needs to go up a few levels, for sure, to continue to compete in the world.
O’Neill’s call for investment echoes that of Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker after the Olympics, where Canada finished eighth in the medal count with 21 — and Russia dropped out of contention.
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O’Neill said the funding helps get athletes to competitions, through training, hiring world-class coaches and talent to help athletes and keep up with the standard of competition gear.
“Like the sports program as a whole, the core funding hasn’t increased in the past, almost 18 years now,” he said. “So what you have is a lot of sports organizations trying to do more with less. So if that funding doesn’t increase, it’s difficult to continue competing at the world level.
“What I can say at the core level of funding, we need to at least do all of that. And honestly, we know that it will require increased funding for the program and the athletes to be able to participate fully without worry.”
Nordic ski star Natalie Wilkie led the way for Canada with four medals, two of the three gold – with the wheelchair team winning another. Nordic ski star Mark Arendz added two bronzes, while Para alpine skier Kalle Eriksson and director Sierra Smith won three medals in their Paralympic debuts.
Canada’s ice hockey team earned silver on Sunday, while Michaela Gosselin and Kurt Oatway added alpine bronze, Brittany Hudak earned nordic skiing bronze and Tyler Turner captured bronze in men’s snowboard cross. Turner, who entered as champion, struggled in the final but was awarded bronze after Japan’s Junta Kosuda was withdrawn due to a collision.
Canada could be missing out on a few medals with six-time medalist and alpine star Mollie Jepsen pulling out of the Games early with a knee injury.
O’Neill pointed to the atmosphere following Canada’s victory — its first gold in the event since 2014 and fourth since its inception in 2006 — as an example of the importance of sport in Canada.
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” he said. “So if you really look at the impact and power of sports especially in the kind of country we’re in today, it just transcends any kind of boundaries or differences that we see every day and really brings us together.
“And I would say as a country we need it more than ever. And an investment in what could be some of the best representatives and ambassadors on behalf of Canada are these great athletes here.”
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