Another local corporation is stepping up to help fund the dreams of Manitoba's Olympic hopefuls.
The Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba announced that Manitoba Lotteries Corporation has committed to spending $300,000 during the next quadrennial as the exclusive Platinum Podium of Excellence sponsor through the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England.
"We're obviously thrilled by the announcement, given the economic times and some of the government priorities," said Randy Anderson, the general manager with CSCM. "The new money increases services to the athletes, we're giving them the support they need to compete for a spot on the Canadian team."
Part of the initial $75,000 cash infusion has gone to hiring a full-time sport scientist who was previously employed on a contract basis.
The other money will be distributed among services that will allow Manitoba's high-performance athletes to compete both nationally and internationally against the world's best.
"For us, it's more support that we need," said Winnipegger Jared McLeod, a track and field athlete who fell just short of qualifying for the 2008 Olympics in Athens but already has his sights on 2012. "We'll be able to use it for many things that are important for us athletes, trying to obtain our goals and improve our training and things like that."
Anderson said there were currently 200 athletes being serviced by CSCM and that roughly 30 Manitobans have been identified as hopefuls for 2010 in Vancouver.
"If we have eight-to-10 athletes representing our province on the winter games team, we think that's a sigificant number," said Anderson, stressing that more corporate money is needed. "We need to truly get these athletes what they need. Right now, they're competing at a disadvantage, to be quite frank.
"We're trying to address that and this announcement goes a long way in trying to do that."
Manitoba Lotteries Corporation will also provide employment opportunities -- with flexible hours which revolve around training and competitions -- for two Olympic hopefuls.
The CSCM also unveiled its plans for Countdown Celebration Week, to highlight the fact the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver are just over a year away.
First on the list of activities is a family fun day at the Forks on Feb. 7, which will include live appearances by 2010 Olympic mascots Sumi, Miga and Quatchi, a kids mini-Olympic interactive zone, a meet and greet with Manitoba Olympic heroes and 2010 hopefuls and the first viewing of the new Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame display commemorating Manitoba's history at the Winter Olympics.
A wine tasting fundraiser at De Lucca's will also be held on Feb. 7.
On Feb. 11, there will be three free public skating with Olympic heroes and hopefuls at the MTS Centre from 6 to 9 p.m.
The week of Feb. 9 to 12 will also feature visits to local school by Manitoba's high performance athletes.
For more information, visit www.cscm.ca or call 474-6645.
