It’s time to step up and help Canadian Olympic and Paralympic winter athletes own the podium in 2010. That’s the message today as a massive national online campaign kicks off to raise a minimum of $5 million through individual donations of $20.10 online at www.olympicfoundation.ca.

Every Canadian who donates $20.10 will increase Team Canada’s medal hopes at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Own the Podium 2010 program is almost fully funded and the last $5 million raised through this national campaign will cap off the $55 million in private matching funds to $55 million in federal funding. The $110 million program will ensure that Canadian athletes have everything they need to win in 2010. Donors will receive a tax receipt as well as an e-mail and thank you message from Nathalie Lambert, Olympian (short track speed skating) and Chef de Mission for the 2010 Canadian Olympic team and Blair McIntosh, Chef de Mission for the 2010 Canadian Paralympic team.

“In sports where a hundredth of a second can determine gold over silver and joy over heartache – the pennies, loonies and dollars donated to Own the Podium 2010 by Canadians of all ages at www.olympicfoundation.ca will help give Canadian athletes the extra push they need to aim higher and reach further,” said Lambert. “Let’s help to make their Olympic and Paralympic dreams come true on behalf of all Canadians.”

“There is nothing more inspiring than knowing you have an entire nation behind you – it’s an honor and a privilege,” said Clara Hughes, Olympic gold medallist at the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games. “Own the Podium 2010 is allowing us to completely focus on the task at hand – to demonstrate excellence and represent our country in a way that will make all Canadians proud in 2010.”

“Canadian winter athletes are on a roll, and the world is taking notice – but to really shine in 2010 they need the support of an entire nation, so we need every Canadian to do their part,” said Roger Jackson, CEO of Own the Podium 2010. “The Own the Podium 2010 program has played a critical role in developing the strongest Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams ever. From a funding standpoint, we’re in the home stretch and we need Canadians’ help to raise the last $5 million through $20.10 donations,” he said. “Next year, Canadian winter athletes will be ready for the world’s biggest stage. By making a small donation of $20.10 Canadians from coast to coast to coast can celebrate in their unprecedented success knowing they have played a part in making it happen.”

CANADIAN ATHLETES HAVE MOMENTUM NOW

This winter sports season, Canadian athletes have been serving notice on the international winter sport circuit that they are ready to shine in 2010. Currently ranked second behind Germany in World Cup standings, Canada recently experienced the best-ever weekend in Canadian winter sport history, amassing a total of 30 World Cup and World Championship medals including John Kucera’s first-ever world championship title in alpine skiing for a Canadian man. Canada’s ice sledge hockey team is the current World Sledge Hockey Challenge champions, and Canada’s para-alpine ski team is currently number one in the world for the first time in history.