Olympic talent scouts arrive in the Forest City for annual 'RBC Training Ground'
The Canadian Olympic Committee hosted a free talent search in London, Ont. Saturday.
Canadian track and field Olympian Brandon McBride was on hand to cheer on young athletes at the annual RBC Training Ground event inside Western University’s Recreation Centre.
“The RBC Training ground event is an athlete identification program. Essentially, it’s to help identify the young and upcoming talent and basically bridge the gap from where they are currently to where they want to be,” explained McBride.
'RBC Training Ground' is open to any athlete between the ages of 14 and 25, regardless of their sport background.
Parents were on hand as their children took part in a number of drills for just over an hour.
“He gets to try a few different sports that he doesn’t normally participate in, and hopefully build some more confidence in athletics,” said Jordan Dindia, whose 17-year-old son participated in Saturday’s training.
Talent scouts from 11 different Olympic sports were on hand.
- Bobsled Canada Skeleton
- Canoe Kayak Canada
- Climbing Canada
- Cycling Canada
- Freestyle Canada
- Luge Canada
- Rowing Canada
- Rugby Canada
- Speed Skating Canada
- Volleyball Canada
- Wrestling Canada
“We’re looking at potential future cyclists, we’re looking at their beep tests, their vertical jumps, a whole bunch of other stuff to see if they’d be a potential future Olympian,” said Ryan MacDonald, Canadian Athlete and Cycling Representative from National Cycling Institute Milton.
Two new National Sport Organizations will also be added to the mix this year, Football (Flag) Canada and Squash Canada, both of which will be making Olympic debuts at the LA 2028 Summer Olympics.
Cruz Dindia participated in the training test, “I was feeling pretty gassed already after the vertical jump, but I tried my best. I did pretty good in all of the events, above average in everything.”
“I wish this was around when I was in high school and whatnot, I had to be essentially one of the best in the country just to shake hands with some of these individuals, some of the national team coaches,” added McBride.
The program has already found and funded 13 Olympians and seven Canadian Olympic medalists.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Conservatives, NDP should be 'celebrating' EV deals: industry minister
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says federal opposition parties should be 'celebrating' the recently announced electric vehicle deals, despite their criticisms the Liberals refuse to make public the terms and conditions laid out in the contracts.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
His SUV was stolen on Montreal's South Shore. Then he got a $156 parking ticket
A couple is frustrated after their SUV was stolen from Montreal's South Shore in March and they received a parking ticket for the same vehicle last week.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Evacuation orders lifted in Fort McMurray Saturday as rain dampens wildfire activity
Residents of Fort of McMurray who were displaced over wildfire concerns were told to return home Saturday.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs abuse allegations: A timeline of key events
In the six months since singer Cassie filed a lawsuit against Sean Combs, a wave of similar cases and public allegations against one of the most influential music moguls of the past three decades have occurred.