Canada's Olympians could sure use some sugar daddies like they have in Russia, where 10 of the biggest tycoons are offering up some $12 million in bonus money.
Not that our country's athletes don't have supporters. A lot of Canada’s Olympians have got an extra boost in their drive for the podium from the Canadian Athletes Now Fund.
Formerly known as See You In (Sydney … Salt Lake City … Athens … Torino) before having to change the name as part of a long-running battle with the Canadian Olympic Committee and then winning it back again, the fund is run by the tireless Jane Roos.
Playing on China’s fascination with the number 8, they are asking Canadians to donate $8 to help Canadian athletes for the Beijing Games which begin on 08.08.08, and also also seeking MVP donors to match the donations of Canadians each day.
They’ve gotten 10,000 Canadians to chip in so far and are looking to reach 50,000 by their June 8 deadline.
But a $12 million pot created by heavy hitting financial types takes things into a different dimension. Is it a case of the Russian tycoons having more pride in their country or more disposable income?
Playing It Cool: Canadian freestyle skier Warren Tanner has joined the growing movement among Olympic athletes to go carbon neutral. The Canadian men’s rowing eight, which has its only pre-Olympic race in Lucerne this weekend, has joined the Play It Cool movement, as has kayak champ Adam Van Koeverden and former alpine star Thomas Grandi and his wife, cross country skier Sara Renner.



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