Must Reads
Sometimes the truth is not what it seems - By Sheila Robertson and Bruce Robertson From time to time, various media outlets drag out the claim that prior to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Canada was the only host nation to fail to win an Olympic gold medal on home soil, and not only once but twice. The first occasion was the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal and the second the Olympic Winter Games in Calgary 12 years later. In Calgary, Canadian athletes produced brilliant performances: silver medals for 
1977 Green Paper lays the groundwork for Canadian amateur sport - The initial proposals leading to a definite statement on federal policy for amateur sport were unveiled on October 24, 1977 when a Green Paper entitled “Toward a National Policy on Amateur Sport,” was tabled in the House of Commons by The Honourable Iona Campagnola, Minister of State, Fitness and Amateur Sport. The Green Paper – a working document – focuses on four general areas for discussion: funding, administration, technical development, and promotion. Green paper...
After the 1976 Olympics, Roger Jackson says “Canada could be 5th in the World” - Dr. Roger Jackson, Olympic gold medallist in rowing in 1964 and now Director of Sport Canada, talked to Champion editor Sheila Bresalier about new programs and initiatives undertaken by Sport Canada since the 1976 Olympic Games.
The COA unveils $1.2 million club assistance program heading towards 1980 - The COA believes it is time to complement Sport Canada’s athlete assistance program and the coaching development program of the Coaching Association of Canada, by looking to the clubs and club coaches who produce Canada’s international calibre athletes.
COA sets tougher performance standards to make 1980 team - In order to be selected to a Canadian Olympic team, athletes must show by their previous performances that they have a reasonable chance of finishing in the top 16, or in the top half of the field, whichever criteria is more stringent.
Shattered Hopes
Canada’s Boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games
On December 27, 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. The invasion set off a chain of events that dominated the headlines. A crucial fallout was the American-led boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games, which Canada eventually joined. 212 Canadian athletes were forced to shelve their Olympic dreams, some temporarily, many permanently. Shattered Hopes is an oral history of athletes, coaches, and other leaders affected by the boycott. More on this book...
