NEWS: News Release
April 17, 2008
ONTARIO ATHLETES ON A QUEST FOR GOLD
McGuinty Government Invests In High-Performance Sport
Minister Best cheers on national decathlon champion and Quest for Gold recipient,
Massimo Bertocchi, as he clears a hurdle, demonstrating one of the
ten events he has
mastered for his sport.
Minister Best with Dean of the Faculty of Education and Health, Bruce Kidd
and varsity athlete
and Quest for Gold recipient, Sarah Boyle.
NEWS
Ontario’s high-performance athletes are getting the opportunity to train at the University of Toronto’s world-class facilities.
An Ontario government investment of $2 million will give athletes and coaches access to the university’s advanced resources such as:
- sport medicine services
- education services, and
- sport science services
Athletes can also use the university’s specialized equipment and facilities, including the Varsity Centre, which includes a new stadium that features a 400m eight-lane track, a state-of-the-art artificial turf field and a dome that allows year-round training. These services will complement the programs and services already provided by the Canadian Sport Centre-Ontario and provincial sport organizations.
The funding comes from the $10 million Quest for Gold program that helps provide direct financial assistance to Ontario athletes.
QUOTES
“This funding will provide Ontario’s athletes with opportunities to train in one of the best facilities in the province, so that they can compete on the world stage,” said Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion. “We are proud to support our athletes – they are role models who inspire Ontarians to live healthy, active lives.”
“The University of Toronto is building on its long-time commitment to advancing high-performance sport in Ontario,” said Bruce Kidd, Dean, University of Toronto. “We are thrilled that this partnership with the province will allow some of Ontario’s finest athletes to benefit from our exceptional facilities and resources.”
“Access to high calibre venues, training and research allows me to train effectively so that I can reach my full potential,” said Massimo Bertocchi, Canadian Champion, Men’s Decathlon. “Quest for Gold funding provides opportunities for the best training and coaching and will give Ontario athletes an edge as we compete on the world stage.”
QUICK FACTS
- Part of the University of Toronto’s renewed commitment to high performance sport will include the construction of The Centre for High Performance Sport that will include a 2,000-seat, world class combined basketball and volleyball facility with a feature court built to international standards.
- Approximately 8,000 amateur athletes have benefited from Quest for Gold funding, through direct funding, or through coaching, training or competition programs.
- Ontario provided $23.7 million to amateur sport in 2007-08.
LEARN MORE
The Quest for Gold Program provides support to Ontario’s amateur athletes.
The Varsity Centre welcomes and encourages all levels of physical activity.
The Canadian Sport Centre Ontario (CSC Ontario) provides programs and services to high- performance athletes and coaches.
Rick Byun, Minister’s Office, 416-326-8497
Julie Rosenberg, Communications, 416-326-4833
