Dear Sporting Community,
From July 23rd to August 8th, 371 athletes and 131 coaches took part in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. It was the largest contingent of Canadian athletes to compete at an Olympic Games since Los Angeles 1984. These unique times have forged a special Canadian Olympic Team, one that has faced some of the most challenging circumstances over the past year and a half. The level of preparation, through creativity and perseverance, is a testament to the resilience of the athletes and the sport community in this country. Whether late at night or early in the morning, up we were, thousands of us cheering on our Canadian delegation, loud and proud, together like never before.
To those 371 athletes, we salute your courage, your achievements, and we thank you for representing the maple leaf with such grace. Throughout your historical performances, and sometimes the heartbreaking ones, you have embodied the Canadian values and have shown the world what it means to be Olympic. Forever, OLY will stand next to your name. Forever, your stories will inspire generations and transcend the power of sport. Proud is an understatement.
To the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Government of Japan, we applaud your diligence to provide all possible COVID-19 countermeasures and place the highest priority on safety for the sake of all participants, including the athletes, and the Japanese public. Your commitment to deliver the delayed Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics in unprecedented times was no short task. Together, you have provided a positive platform for athletes from around the world to perform while shining light and increasing focus and attention on important topics and stigmas that affect athletes directly.
To the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), the partners, the media community, your unphasable support over the past year and a half has lifted Team Canada to new highs, inspiring the nation along the way. You have worked tirelessly sharing the journey with the athletes, telling the stories to the world, believing every step of the way. There is truly “Glory from anywhere”!
We now shift our attention to the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games and wish safe and secure preparation to all the athletes throughout the next 4 months. We embark on this next chapter with great knowledge and a rich experience from the Summer Games, and we know that soon enough we will be Olympic again!
The Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission (COC AC) wants to take this opportunity to share with you some news and information as we roll into fall & winter.
Athletes’ Commission 2021 Election Campaign
Shortly after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the COC AC opened its 2021 call for nominations. We were looking for dedicated, engaged athletes who would be interested in joining our Commission beginning in 2021 to complete terms ending after Paris 2024. Six (6) Commission members positions for athletes of the Summer Olympic Games were up for grab. We are overwhelmed by the vast interest and the quality of the applications that we have received before the September 21st deadline.
Athletes who have competed in at least one of the last two Summer, including in the Summer Games preceding the election, or have competed in the Pan American Games directly preceding the Summer Olympic Games that precedes the election will be eligible to vote for their representatives. Eligible athletes will receive a link to view the nominees’ applications (short bios, written statements, and videos), to help them choose the candidates they would like to see on the COC AC. They will be invited to vote, through the same link, for the two (2) candidates of their choice from two (2) different sports.
Voting will take place from October 1st to October 15th, 2021. Six (6) Commission members will be elected for the Summer Olympic Games.
Post Games Survey
As part of the COC AC’s on-going effort to continuously support the Canadian athletes’ voice, to stay updated on the latest concerns, and to provide a strong leadership within the Olympic movement at home but also internationally, we would be grateful if the Tokyo 2020 athletes could fill out a short post Games survey. The survey should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
Your feedback is crucial to our future plans, so please use this opportunity to tell us about your experiences. This will help your Athletes’ Commission to properly address the items at the heart of the Canadian athletes while helping us shape our future strategies. Athletes that have competed in Tokyo will receive the survey at the same time they receive the information to vote for new AC members, so keep an eye out for it shortly.
Upcoming Athlete Information Session
On June 2nd, the COC Athletes’ Commission, COC CEO and Secretary General, David Shoemaker, and President, Tricia Smith, invited the Canadian athletes to attend an athlete webinar to discuss and update the team leading up to Tokyo 2020. The experience was well received, and we are looking forward to hosting a similar event in the months leading up to Beijing 2022.
Although a specific date has yet to be announced, we look forward to having you join us to discuss a wide range of topics around Beijing 2022, including important updates on Covid-19, vaccination, the Beijing 2022 Playbooks, etc.
Stay tune for an upcoming COC Athletes Commission: Athlete Information Session.
How to stay connected:
Email: athletescommission@olympic.ca
Twitter: @TeamCanadaAC (Check it out here!)
COC Athlete Commission Website
Work from our partners that you should know about!
AthletesCAN is the association of Canada’s national team athletes. It is an inclusive athlete organization that is independent of sport governing bodies that works to ensure that the sport system is athlete centered. They have a ton of great resources available that help to build strong athlete leaders so be sure to check it out!
Game Plan is Canada’s total athlete wellness program that has resources available to athletes to ensure they are supported during their sporting career and beyond. These resources focused on five key areas: health, skill development, education, network and career. We recently had a session with Game Plan to learn more about what they have to offer and were blown away. The Game Plan team is working hard to constantly add new partners and services. We highly recommend that you take a minute to explore their website, register for the program and get in touch with a Game Plan advisor near you!
OLY Life is a unique platform where you will find the latest news from the COC and the sport community as well as to learn about upcoming events and opportunities exclusive to Olympians!
We are excited to make 2020 a good year for athletes and the roaring 20’s an amazing decade for the whole community. We wish everyone all the best and send a special shout out to all the athletes competing! We will be in touch throughout the year but reach out to us anytime!
Yours in sport,
The Canadian Olympic Committee’s Athlete Commission
