Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Let me just take a moment to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about why I'm here.
My name is Thérèse Brisson. I was a member of the Canadian hockey team for many years. I was also captain of that team for three years. That team won six world championships as well as the gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and a silver medal in 1998. Sport inspired me to pursue excellence and be the very best I could be as I moved on to build my business career.
What you might not know about me is that I actually trained as a scientist. I did a Ph.D. before going on to a first career as a professor and researcher. After leaving my job in academia to train and compete at the Salt Lake City games, I went back to school, did an MBA, and joined Procter & Gamble shortly thereafter in Ms. Finley's riding, where today I run the largest business in our home care division.
I'm a member of the COC board of directors, and accompanying me here today is Chris Rudge, who's our CEO and secretary general, as well as Alex Baumann, our chief technical officer for Own the Podium. He is, of course, a multiple Olympic gold medallist and a world record holder in swimming, and one of my personal Olympic heroes.
I first experienced the power of sport to inspire the hopes and dreams of the nation as a child at the Montreal games. Yet even as a very little girl of nine years old, I wondered why we weren't doing better. It really challenged my view--a youthful and inspired one--that Canada was the best country in the world to live in, and even my own potential as a Canadian.
With Own the Podium, we have been doing better, a lot better. I'm here today because of my deep pride in Canada, my passion for winning, and a vision to inspire Canadian excellence in sport and through sport. It's a vision that I know you share and one that you can really help achieve with the $22 million investment in Own the Podium that I'm here to ask you for today.
What is Own the Podium? It provides enhanced high-performance sport programming to Canadian athletes and teens with medal potential.
Let me give you a personal example. With Podium 2002, which was a precursor to Own the Podium, our women's hockey team had a month-long summer training camp at the military reserve in Valcartier, Quebec. We had a full-time massage therapist who travelled with the team, and a sport psychologist. For the first time, we had a goalie coach--and we all know how important that is in hockey. We had a lunch meal plan right on campus at the University of Calgary where we trained, which cut down on all the running around and allowed a real 100% focus on the training. These are things we didn't have in 1998, and they're the little things that make the big difference. That's what Own the Podium does.
What are the results? That's what we're all about in sport, and I know that here we're all about results. Let me tell you a little bit about that.
Own the Podium has delivered outstanding results. In winter sport, we've moved from fourth in 2002 to first in the world rankings in 2009. That makes our goal of being first overall in the medal count in Vancouver within reach.
In summer sport, we tied for 13th in 2008 in Beijing. That's up from 19th spot in 2004 in Athens. That's a key result.
Another important thing is that athletes believe in Own the Podium. For the first time, we believe we're on a level playing field with all our competitors. Our competitors actually now believe we have something they don't, and that gives us a competitive edge.
Finally, and I think most importantly, Canadians believe. They see the leadership and they see smart government investment that delivers results for Canadians. And all Canadians will share in the success and celebration of sport in Vancouver.
One of the best things about being an athlete is sharing the Olympic experience with Canadians. I actually brought my medal here today and I'd love to be able to share that with you. Please feel free to pass it around the room.
I have learned two things. First of all, Canadians really care. In Salt Lake City, one in five Canadians watched the gold medal game, something that blew me away. That's how much it engages Canadians. The second thing is that Canadians were really inspired by our win versus the U.S. home team favourites, facing the adversity of nine penalties in a row from the American referees. I think it's because Canadians identified with us. We were the girls next door and we reacted to adversity in a way they'd like to react when faced with the same. That's what Canadians tell me, that our win has helped them face challenges, whether it be starting exercise programs or dealing with illness, family breakups, or job losses.
The challenge we face today is that $22 million of the $70 million in Own the Podium annual funding will not be available after 2010. That's the investment we're looking for from you today. Why should you invest in Own the Podium? Because a small investment makes a big difference. It allows our best young athletes to reach their potential. International success unites and excites Canadians from all regions, unlike anything else. Striving for excellence and achieving it sets an example. It inspires Canadians in all walks of life, whether in sport, the arts, education, or business.
Now is the right time to invest in Own The Podium. During these challenging times, as we climb out of this recession, Canadians need their heroes more than ever. Don't put ceilings on those young hopes and dreams.
Thank you for your attention and for your support of this recommendation to provide $22 million a year for support for Own The Podium.