RBC Training Ground seeks Okanagan athletes for Olympics

Photo: Kevin Lightt

Olympic officials are coming to UBC Okanagan on Feb. 29 in their search to find future Olympians.

The RBC Training Ground event gives local athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills, in hopes of being selected for the Canadian Olympic Team.

The event allows athletes of any sport to test their strength, speed, power and endurance in front of officials who are seeking raw talent suited for the Games. 

The event is free and is open to athletes aged 14 to 25.  

Athletes who are identified as having Olympic potential will then be further tested with the potential of attending the RBC Training Ground national final in Winnipeg. That event will together the top 100 athletes from across the country. 

Up to 30 top performing athletes will be selected as RBC Future Olympians and will receive funding and resources to pursue their Olympic dreams. 

Participants' body types, speed, power, strength and endurance will be tested by the Canadian Olympic Committee and national sport organizations.

The program aims to fill a hole in Canada's amateur sport system by uncovering talent and giving athletes the opportunity to achieve their podium dreams.

Talents scouts and officials will include representatives from Boxing Canada, Canada Snowboard, Speed Skating, Ski Jump Canada, Canoe Kayak Canada, Cycling Canada, Rowing Canada, Rugby Canada, Nordic Combined Canada and Freestyle Ski Canada.

Over the last four years, RBC Training Ground has assessed more than 8,000 athletes, with 10 per cent of them having high Olympic potential, and RBC has given $1.6 million to 110 athletes identified through the program.

Some of them are on the road to competing in the Tokyo Games this year.

Kelsey Mitchell, world-record setting track cyclist and Tokyo hopeful, was a varsity soccer player when she attended an RBC Training Ground event, where she met Cycling Canada representatives in 2017. 

All curious athletes are encouraged to sign up in advance here.