This year, Toronto is set to host the Top 100 high-potential athletes from across Canada. These individuals, who took part in the 2023 qualifying events this past year, are gearing up to test their speed, strength, endurance, and power, aiming to acquire a coveted spot with one of twelve National Sport Organizations’ (NSO) as an RBC Future Olympian.
RBC Training Ground, a nationwide talent identification and athlete-funding program, supports the next generation Canadian Olympians through testing events across Canada, with some athletes trying sports they never knew they’d excel at.
Top 100 athlete Kiki Idowu competing at the RBC Training Ground qualifier at York University earlier this year. Her testing results earned her a position as an RBC Training Ground National Finalist.
One athlete to keep an eye out for is Kiki Idowu – a motivated, passionate, leader chasing her Olympic dream. As she puts it,
“The Olympics has always been on my radar, and now, I’m determined to make it a reality. I found out about RBC Training Ground through an email from the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario. I saw there was a qualifier in my area and thought, why not? And now here I am, preparing for the National Final – it’s huge.”
Many athletes share a similar story. What started out as a fun opportunity, now presents a legitimate reality; a shot at being identified as having Olympic potential. This is Kiki’s second National Final and she’s bringing more than just a hunger to deliver on the field of play this time around.
“Sport has always been a way to open doors for others from what I’ve seen, I want to be a pillar for change on and off the field. To anyone competing at the National Final or thinking about attending an RBC Training Ground event in the future, it’s a once in a lifetime experience, you have nothing to lose. This time around I’m focusing on giving it my all, but at the same time enjoying the event, soaking it all in, meeting other athletes and seeing where things land for me.”
The Top 100 athletes will be joined by an all-star lineup of RBC Olympians and RBC Training Ground alumni. This star-studded group of high performers aren’t just spectators; they’re here to motivate, guide, and cheer on the next generation of athletes like Kiki.
Paris 2024 Olympic hopeful & RBC Training Ground alum Kelsey Mitchell will be in attendance cheering the Top 100 athletes on December 2nd in Toronto.
RBC Olympians confirmed for the National Final:
-
- Kelsey Mitchell (Olympic Gold Medalist, RBC Training Ground Alum)
- Avalon Wasteneys (Olympic Gold Medalist, RBC Training Ground Alum)
- Pierce LePage (World Champion and Olympian, RBC Training Ground Alum)
- Jackie Boyle (Pan American Games Medalist, RBC Training Ground Alum)
- Alexis Cronk (World Championship Medalist, RBC Training Ground Alum)
- Brett Himmelman (World Championship Medalist, RBC Training Ground Alum)
- Sarah Orban (Pan Am Games & Commonwealth Games Medalist, RBC Training Ground Alum)
- Tammara Thibeault (2-time World Championship Medalist and Pan Am Games Champion)
- Sarah Mitton (World Championship Silver Medalist and Pan Am Games Champion)
- Sean McColl (Olympian)
We’ll be serving up thrilling, live content as these athletes give their all in pursuit of funding and support. Who will be named as an RBC ‘Future Olympian’? Join us on this exciting journey to find out – be sure to follow @RBCTrainingGround on Instagram for exciting content that you won’t want to miss!
Do you have what it takes to compete at an RBC Training Ground event? Registration is officially open for next year. Sign up now and compete at a qualifier event in 2024!
