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7 July 2022 (8 July Japan time)  Ottawa, Canada—Six sport governing bodies from Japan and Canada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday, inspired by the desire to promote and strengthen cooperation between the two nations in the areas of high-performance sport, sport development, and social development through sport.

Signatories to the MoU include the Japan Sport Council, Own the Podium, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, and the Coaching Association of Canada.

The MoU provides an opportunity for organizations with a wide variety of expertise in sport to collaborate not only on furthering their aims, but more importantly, to tackle issues that are of importance in and out of sports, such as the empowerment of women leaders, and the implementation of sustainable development indicators.

“The growth of sport globally benefits all nations and sport participants,” said Anne Merklinger, chief executive officer, Own the Podium on behalf of Canada’s sport partners. “Canadian sport organizations have had a long-standing relationship with Japan, and have benefited from a collaborative relationship with the Japan Sport Council in the lead up to the Tokyo Games. This MoU presents an opportunity to expand the relationship and focus collaborative efforts on areas of sport that demand the right level of attention, expertise, and perspectives in order to improve the positive impacts of sport on our communities moving forward.”

Other areas of collaboration through the exchange of programs, experiences, skills, techniques, information, and knowledge include: 

  • Training and competition of athletes and teams;
  • Athlete development;
  • Development of coaches and technical leaders;
  • Exchange programs and visits by sports leaders, officials and sports personnel;
  • Programs for sports sciences and sports medicine personnel;
  • Programs in the areas of safe sport, sports education, sports management, and sports institutes and training centers;
  • Technology, infrastructure and programs for the development of information and research in sports;
  • Sport analytics; and
  • Olympic and Paralympic Games projects – among others.

“Today more than ever, sport is fulfilling the important role of shaping a healthier society and environment by improving not just physical but also mental health, promoting mutual respect and empowering all members of our communities.” said ASHIDATE Satoshi, President of JSC, during his speech at the signing ceremony. “This new MoU enables us to work across sectors, bringing communities and nations together and through our research, achieving best practice and performance for our top athletes, which in turn provide incentives to the public to participate in sport.”

Anne Merklinger, chief executive officer of Own the Podium, and ASHIDATE Satoshi, President of JSC, shake hands after the signing ceremony.

Representatives of each organization gather together for a photo opportunity after the signing ceremony.

This collaborative framework is considered on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit. The MoU is non-binding and does not create legal relations between the parties, and will work in compliance with respective laws and regulations and in the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.

General description of the Canadian Partners:

OWN THE PODIUM is a not-for-profit organization that prioritizes and determines investment strategies to national sport organizations in an effort to deliver more Olympic and Paralympic medals for Canada. Own the Podium makes funding recommendations through prioritized investment strategies using an evidence informed, expert driven, targeted and collaborative approach. Own the Podium's largest contributor of funding is the Government of Canada with additional funding provided by the Canadian Olympic Committee/Canadian Olympic Foundation, the Canadian Paralympic Committee/Paralympic Foundation of Canada, along with the corporate community. For a full summary of Own the Podium initiatives and programs, including a breakdown of support and services by sport, please visit our website above.

CANADIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE is a non-profit, private organization responsible for all aspects of Canada’s involvement in the Olympic movement, including: 1. Canada’s participation in the Olympic, Pan American and Youth Olympic Games; and 2. Selecting and supporting Canadian cities in bids to host Olympic, Olympic Winter and Pan American Games. The Canadian Olympic Committee manages a wide variety of cultural and educational programs promoting Olympic values across Canada. The COC invests in the sport system through world-leading athlete wellness programs, Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives, safe sport and high performance funding.

CANADIAN PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE is a non-profit, private organization with 27 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee’s vision is to be the world’s leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games.

CANADIAN OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC SPORT INSTITUTE NETWORK provides world leading training environments to elite athletes and coaches across Canada. The team of experts deliver sport science/medicine, coaching, research and innovation, education, and game plan services to power Canada to win more medals. The Network includes five Canadian Sport Institutes (Atlantic, Québec, Ontario, Calgary and Pacific) and two Canadian Sport Centers (Saskatchewan and Manitoba).

COACHING ASSOCIATION OF CANADA unites stakeholders and partners in its commitment to raising the skills and stature of coaches, and ultimately expanding their reach and influence. Through its programs, the Coaching Association of Canada empowers coaches with knowledge and skills, promotes ethics, fosters positive attitudes, builds competence, and increases the credibility and recognition of coaches.

The signing ceremony was also attended by H.E. Ambassador YAMANOUCHI Kanji of the Embassy of Japan in Canada. After the signing ceremony, JSC delegation also paid a courtesy call to the Embassy of Japan in Canada and exchanged views on future collaborative projects with the five Canadian sports-related organizations.

JSC representatives and H.E. Ambassador YAMANOUCHI kanji line up for a photo at the Embassy of Japan in Canada

H.E. Ambassador YAMANOUCHI Kanji, JSC President ASHIDATE Satoshi, JSC vice-president KUKIDOME Takeshi smile for a photo at the Embassy of Japan in Canada.

【Photo Credit: Embassy of Japan in Canada】

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