TORONTO (May 8, 2025) – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) unveiled 10 Olympian-led projects that will receive the OLY Canada Legacy Grant, now in its sixth edition.
The COC will award a total of $100,000 across the 10 Olympian-led not-for-profit initiatives, each of which focuses on access to sport, safe sport, or sustainability in their communities. This brings the total funding that the grant has provided since its inception in 2019 to nearly half a million dollars.
The OLY Canada Legacy Grant is a part of the COC’s OLY Canada Alumni initiative. The grant is designed to reflect the three pillars of the Team Canada Impact Agenda – the COC’s commitment to making sport safe, inclusive and barrier-free so more young people can play and stay in sport.
The selected projects fall into three categories:
Podium – helps to strengthen the sport system and support the athlete journey
Play — improves accessibility, encourages inclusivity and diversity among youth and communities at all levels of sport
Planet – promotes and supports environmental sustainability, the health of our planet, and the preservation of our sporting environments
The recipients of the sixth edition of the OLY Canada Legacy Grant and their programs are outlined below.
PODIUM
MOMentum led by Jill Moffatt (Rowing – Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024)
Supporting elite Canadian female athletes with any family planning needs during both their preparation and recovery from national team events. The project is in collaboration with Olympians Melissa Bishop (Athletics), Mandy Bujold (Boxing), Kim Gaucher (Basketball) and Paralympian Erica Gavel (Wheelchair Basketball).
“Now that MOMentum has been up and running for nearly a year, we’re growing and energized by the many ways we can support Canadian elite athlete mothers, as well as athletes considering starting a family. This grant gives us the boost we need to reach key goals and continue providing the best support possible.” – Jill Moffatt OLY
Taking Down Barriers led by Carol Huynh (Wrestling – Beijing 2008, London 2012)
Three-part program designed to advance the presence of female coaches in wrestling and provide them with the tools and confidence to excel in their roles.
“This grant will help to further develop this project by advancing the presence and empowerment of female coaches in wrestling and the development of female wrestlers. The funding will go toward the development and facilitation of an in-person workshop curriculum for female coaches and coaches who coach female athletes in wrestling, as well as online workshops focusing on Dove’s Body Confident Modules. We have already completed the in-person coach camp that took place in conjunction with our Wrestle Like a Girl camp.” – Carol Huynh, OLY
Ride 100% Féminin led by Karol-Ann Canuel (Road Cycling – Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020)
A women-only cycling event designed to promote women’s access to the sport while providing opportunities for development, networking and learning.
“The grant will cover the sanctioning fees as well as the commissioner’s fees related to the event. It will also be used to cover administrative costs, the rental of the supply site, the purchase of supplies needed for the refreshment station, the costs of promotional items and everything related to promotion, as well as the professional fees of the organizing committee.” – Karol-Ann Canuel
PLAY:
Half Court Hoops: No Barriers. Just Ball. led by Paige Crozon (3×3 Basketball – Paris 2024)
Making basketball accessible to youth in rural, Indigenous, and economically disadvantaged communities.
“As someone who grew up in a rural Saskatchewan community, I understand firsthand the importance of providing opportunities that inspire, empower, and bring joy to youth. The OLY Legacy Grant will support Half Court Hoops school visit camps by covering essential travel costs, enabling me to bring high-impact basketball camps and workshops to youth of all abilities in rural, Indigenous, and low-income communities across Saskatchewan. This support will help break down barriers to sport, providing youth with meaningful opportunities to play, connect, and grow—especially in communities where access to such programs can be more limited.” – Paige Crozon OLY
Braving the Elements led by Jeane Lassen (Weightlifting – Beijing 2008)
Designed to support Canadian athletes representing the Yukon and other Northern contingents at the Arctic Winter Games and Canada Games with a focus on trauma-informed mental health and community building.
“The OLY Canada Legacy Grant will help create resources and deliver mental health support for athletes trying out for Team Yukon at the 2025 Canada Summer Games and 2026 Arctic Winter Games. This program builds long-term community strength, supports athlete well-being as they prepare for trials and major competitions, and promotes reconciliation through culturally respectful, relationship-based work.” – Jeane Lassen
Tri-it Schools Program led by Mark Johnston (Swimming – Sydney 2000, Athens 2004)
Introductory skill sessions in triathlon to high needs, inner city schools in East and North Vancouver featuring water safety lessons along with swimming, running and biking programs.
“Receiving the OLY Legacy Grant means the world to me and the 350 plus children who participate in the Tri-It Schools Program. Having the Canadian Olympic Committee’s support is a feeling I will cherish for life and I am truly humbled given the truly remarkable impact others are making in their communities. Like other Olympians, I feel we never truly retire from sport and have an obligation to pass on our experiences, inspiration and skills to the next generation. These funds will enable me and those involved to take the program to even more schools and set up the program for its continued success in the years to come.” – Mark Johnston
The Power of Play led by Leah Ferguson (Wrestling – London 2012)
Making wrestling fun, accessible, and easy to teach with programming where qualified coaches lead Holistic Play workshops that empower participants with fundamental athletic skills and the confidence to run their own initiatives.
“This grant will help us bring the Power of Play program to life in new communities by creating easy-to-use resources and supporting local coaches who want to get kids moving and trying something new. It allows us to meet people where they’re at, build confidence in new leaders, and create more fun, welcoming spaces for youth to experience wrestling, maybe for the very first time.” – Leah Ferguson OLY
Track and field clinics led by Donna Clarke (Athletics – Los Angeles 1984)
Year-round track and field clinics aimed at increasing participation in the sport for children aged 13 and under to foster a love for athletics, develop essential skills and create an inclusive, supportive environment where kids can thrive.
“The OLY Legacy Grant will support the development and completion of track and field clinics by funding community outreach initiatives and in-school programs, helping to introduce youth to the sport, develop fundamental skills, and inspire the next generation of athletes.” – Donna Clarke, Olympian / Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
PLANET
Green Sports Day Canada led by Melissa Humana-Paredes (Beach Volleyball – Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024)
Annual event and campaign that serves as a national platform to engage athletes, organizations, and communities in conversations and actions addressing pressing environmental challenges. The project is in collaboration with Olympians Philippe Marquis (Freestyle Skiing), Martha McCabe (Swimming), Oliver Scholfield (Field Hockey), Oluseyi Smith (Athletics & Bobsleigh) and Marion Thénault (Freestyle Skiing).
“Green Sports Day Canada amplifies the power of sport as a unifying force to drive systemic change. We are so grateful for the OLY Legacy Grant for this support and believing in our mission. This grant will be instrumental in helping us grow and expand our reach through a digital marketing campaign, developing useful resources for our audience, hosting influential panels, and making our summit even bigger and better! ” – Melissa Humana-Paredes
Rising Tides led by Gabrielle Smith (Rowing – Tokyo 2020)
Grassroots environmental initiative that removes waste from local beaches, lakes, rivers, and the ocean, while educating the public on the effects of polluting waterways and empowering individuals to take action.
“Water pollution is a ubiquitous problem in Canadian lakes, rivers, and oceans. The 2025 OLY Canada Legacy Grant will allow us to get new tools and training to be more creative in our efforts to haul garbage out of our local waterways. We will also be able to host some amazing cleanups and get more community members involve ” – Gabrielle Smith
There were many exceptional applications submitted and while we wish we could provide grants for every project, we were only able to select 10 this edition. We encourage the OLY community to continue striving for greater impact through passion and hard work. We hope to see this initiative grow over the years!
Congratulations to all of the newest OLY Canada Legacy Grant recipients!
