(Unsplash)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

raising the bar

Canadian Sport Institute running million-dollar 50/50 supporting elite amateur athletes

Jul 23, 2021 | 1:07 PM

The Canadian Sport Institute is holding a 50/50 raffle to support up and coming elite athletes on their road to the podium.

The 50/50 comes with a take-home prize of $1 million, with the deadline to purchase tickets July 31 at 9 p.m.

All proceeds from Alberta’s raffle will be locally invested to advance sport in this province.

Gary Davies, President/CEO, notes the fundraiser is a partnership with the Canadian Olympic Foundation.

He says the raffle could be one of, if not the biggest investment in supporting high-performance athletes this province has ever seen.

Snow Pack Outlook

Water supplies in central Alberta strong in early 2026

14h ago

2026-2029

New United Way strategy sets direction for community impact across Central Alberta

Feb 21, 2026

St. John Paul II Outreach School

Third CASA Mental Health Classroom opens in Red Deer

Feb 21, 2026

“The big picture reason why this is important is that stats have shown coming out of an Olympics, we see increases in kids and adults getting involved in sports and recreation, and that’s important for people’s physical and mental health,” Davies says.

“The more we can get people active and participating, the better off our province and country will be. But also, this is about individuals with great talents and skills and it’s important we see them get the chance to thrive in those areas.”

What the Canadian Sport Institute does, generally speaking, is support the science behind what makes an athlete elite, he explains. That includes mental performance, physiotherapy, and strength and conditioning.

The institute in Calgary trains about 10 per cent of athletes you’ll see on the world stage for the summer games, and about 80 per cent for the winter.

“We have a big partnership with the Benson Concussion Institute at WinSport, and Dr. Benson is our chief medical officer. That’s been a huge area of growth and importance,” says Davies.

“Then there’s mental performance, which has changed bigtime in the last 20 years, with a big focus on athletes not only being able to perform at their highest level, but outside their athletic life, how they’re doing and ensuring they’re in a good place so they can lead great post-athletic career lives.”

Davies adds that there’s a sense of pride that sweeps across the country when a young athlete succeeds.

“That can really raise the mood of the whole country, which is important coming out of the pandemic.”

Red Deer’s Tammy Cunnington, who’ll swim at her second Paralympic Games next month, previously worked with the Canadian Sport Institute’s Game Plan Program.

This 50/50 model will be repeated for future Games, Davies says, if successful in its first go-around.

To purchase tickets, visit teamcanada5050.ca.