Core Insights - The Canadian sports system is facing a prolonged financial crisis that has lasted for 20 years, with core federal funding frozen and rising training costs for athletes [1][2] - The lack of commercial sponsorships is forcing many athletes to choose between training in debt or retiring early, which threatens Canada's competitiveness in international events [1] Funding Issues - Federal funding for sports has remained stagnant for 20 years, while inflation has exceeded 50%, leading to a significant gap in sports budget growth [1] - The financial burden on athletes is exemplified by the case of a sledding athlete whose team expenses have skyrocketed to 25,000 CAD (approximately 126,000 RMB) for the Milan Olympic cycle [1] Impact on Athletes - Athletes are increasingly facing financial difficulties, with some, like speed skater Isabelle Weidemann, publicly stating they are in debt and must cover costs previously funded by their associations [1][2] - The Canadian Olympic Committee's CEO highlighted that funding for sports in countries like Germany, Italy, and France is ten times that of Canada, indicating a significant competitive disadvantage [1] Chain Reaction in Sports Organizations - The financial crisis is causing a ripple effect, with organizations like the Canadian Basketball Association having to "overdraw the future to pay for the present" due to funding shortages [2] - Grassroots sports organizations are raising participation fees for youth to balance budgets, creating a vicious cycle of financial strain [2] Currency Impact - The weak Canadian dollar has exacerbated the costs of international competitions, with 18 Canadian sports associations losing nearly 8 million CAD this season due to fluctuations in the euro exchange rate [2]