By Canadian Press

Government boosts carding money for athletes ahead of Paris Olympics

Apr 16, 2024 | 3:27 PM

OTTAWA — The federal government announced in Tuesday’s budget that it will increase funding for the Athlete Assistance Program by $35 million over the next five years as the 2024 Paris Olympics approach.

The $7-million annual increase is more than $6.3-million raise requested by Canadian athletes last month.

It’s the first raise to the AAP, informally known as “carding” money, since 2017.

The money is for living expenses and competition costs an athlete’s sport’s governing body doesn’t cover.

More than 1,900 athletes across 90 sports are eligible for AAP, which offers other financial supports such as tuition and child care.

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The request for an increase in carding money is independent of a joint appeal for an additional $104 million in funding from the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2024.

The Canadian Press