Sport is in a great place right now, let’s hope we can benefit from this in our efforts to raise the importance of physical education and sport in Canada. Let's keep the momentum going.
Andrea Grantham, Executive Director of PHE Canada recommends sending a letter of thanks to our local MPs encouraging them to continue investing in sport and physical activity – particularly to support all levels of the Canadian population who have been inspired by our Olympic successes.
See below for a sample letter, but please make it your own. Here is a link to help find your local MP: www.phecanada.ca/eng/advocacy/action/government_contacts.cfm.
Dear Member of Parliament (insert name)
I am writing to you today to congratulate you and all of Canada for the phenomenal Olympic Games that have just come to a close in Vancouver. Canada’s unprecedented fourteen gold medals is a source of great pride for all Canadians from coast to coast. A whole new generation of Canadians will now aspire to Olympic greatness on the slopes, on the track and on the ice. None of this would have been possible without support and funding from the federal government and the other partners that made these Olympic Games such a success.
Now that the Games are over, however, with the Paralympics to follow, it is critically important that we continue to support our athletes and coaches and that we build on the incredible momentum of the past few weeks. We need to ensure that our athletes and coaches have the certainty going forward that Canada values their accomplishments and is willing to support them as they continue to build on the amazing foundation laid at these Olympics.
I understand that the funding for Own The Podium, the organization that coordinates the support of our athletes, will be cut in half at the end of March. I worry that this funding cut will hold back our ability to build off of these Games and to ensure that we have a legacy of excellence for athletes, coaches and for all Canadians. I think it is important that the Federal government step in to bridge this gap, to ensure that our athletes have the support that they need to continue to shine for years to come.
Sport can play an important role in meeting many of our goals as a country including building healthier and stronger Canadians. The success of our athletes is a source of great price and inspiration for me and for all Canadians, young and old. Please help to ensure that the support is in place to ensure that our Olympic legacy lives on for the benefit of us all.
Sincerely,
xxxx
