Own the Podium 2010 (OTP) was an Olympic funding organization comprising Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC). For the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, OTP set an ambitious goal for the Canadian team: place first in the total medal count. To support this goal, OTP coordinated fundraising and allocated funds to Winter Olympic sports that exceeded $22 million in 2009. OTP’s message to Canadian athletes was clear: We will fund you better than ever, but we expect results. 

Results after the first week of competition in February 2010 were disappointing. Canada had won a total of eight medals (four gold, three silver, and one bronze), but the USA led with 13 medals. Media criticized OTP for setting an unrealistic goal for Team Canada. OTP-related controversy and national embarrassment peaked on Sunday, February 21, when the men’s hockey team lost to the USA in preliminary play. There were also disappointing results in speed skating and alpine skiing. 

Required

Resolved: Canadian athletes would have won more medals in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games without the unnecessary added pressure of OTP’s total medal “budget. 

Form groups of three to five members. Prepare arguments both for and against this resolution. Conduct internet research to support your arguments.