Exactly.
That stage has never been a more difficult one, quite frankly, for our summer athletes. Competing with over 204 Olympic committees, Canada's goal is to be in the top 12 in 2012. It's a goal that we all strive for, and a goal that we are all committed to on a daily basis.
Dreaming big is what every athlete does every day. I remember when my first dream was inspired as a young immigrant who had come to Canada, where sport helped me to build self-esteem. It also helped me to work as a member of a team and helped me to embrace my new community. Sport is where I first learned the power of striving for goals and achieving my best in excellence. That's why I'm so drawn to sport and why I'm so proud to be here as part of this team, to be able to present to you what is going to happen in London in about 50 days from now.
Like many athletes, role models also inspired me. There is no doubt that these athletes you saw in the video and whom you'll meet will do the same for our youth, as their stories and performances will be shared with Canadians from coast to coast. But to get there goes beyond the many years of hard work, dedication, and commitment for an event that often lasts a few minutes and, in some cases, a few seconds. Any technical advantage that can be put forward for athletes will and does make a difference, and the team behind the team will not take its foot off the pedal until every athlete has competed to the best of his or her ability.
That is the main focus, preparing the athletes, and that is how it should be. Whether these athletes go to London, no matter how they go, they will be surrounded by a supportive, inclusive atmosphere of fellow Canadians. Through their experiences, Canadians will be connected to those Olympic values they represent, of fair play, of excellence, and fun.
It's the excitement from those Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games that still resonates in the minds of Canadians. I know you all recall hearing the national anthem 14 times for a record of 14 gold medals on home turf. That continues to inspire all of us today and it motivates and buoys our team as we head into London. It was also a launching pad, those games in our country, to build a more sustainable sport culture that engages communities, builds legacies, builds capacities, and builds champions beyond sport.
This sport culture has many facets and you heard about some of them already. But we know that a vital part of that team is the national sport federations, the many volunteers who work tirelessly with athletes every day, and the network of training centres across Canada that allows our athletes to have a venue to train and perform in. And, of course, we could not do it without our families behind us and world-class coaches, equally dedicated to high performance.
These athletes are doing it on a world scale and they're doing it under tremendous pressure. But they're doing it with a steely focus and a drive to win that is inherent in the campaign Give Your Everything. And if their experience was anything like mine a very long time ago when a lot of these resources were not as available then as they are today—and they do need more—I know that they are able and capable of handling that pressure, because all of Canada is behind them when the world has its eyes on them.
Finally, I'd like to thank you all again for the support that all of you have given to Canadian athletes. We know that going into London, they will know that they are standing on the shoulders of all Canadians.
Thank you very much.