In this thesis I explored, through document analysis and interviews, how elite sport has been historically funded in Canada, the Own the Podium program, how elite winter athletes are currently experiencing sport, and the processes that can be employed to create an athlete-centred sport system. An analysis of the rationale for funding decisions and sport programs, the and solutions provided, revealed that winning medals as a quantifiable measure of success has long been a priority for decision-makers in elite Canadian sport. Currently, athletes are still the object of, not a subject in, decision-making. Sport programming decisions provide for the performance of the athletes. Athletes largely feel powerless in influencing decision-makers or instituting change. To enhance an athlete-centred sport system, processes must be developed to formalize communication between athletes and administrators, and programs need to be developed to support all areas of the athlete`s development, not just their athletic performance.
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