MONTREAL, Oct. 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Intact Insurance, a proud National Partner of Team Canada, today announced the 12 Olympian-led projects that will receive the first grants awarded under the Intact Olympian Impact program.

The Intact Olympian Impact program is a $1 million commitment over three years to fund Olympian-led initiatives. The first grants will support 12 initiatives from four active and eight retired Olympians who are leading projects which will create a lasting impact in communities across Canada.

Building on an established framework, Intact's contribution will allow the program to reach more Canadians and have an even greater impact from coast to coast to coast. The program was developed as part of Team Canada 2035, the COC's 10-year strategic plan that aims to transform Canada through the power of sport across three pillars: podium, play and planet.

The grant program is designed to reflect these pillars, with selected projects falling into three categories:

1. Podium – helps to strengthen the sport system and support the athlete journey
2. Play – improves accessibility, encourages inclusivity and diversity among youth and communities at all levels of sport
3. Planet – promotes and supports environmental sustainability, the health of our planet, and the preservation of our sporting environments

The grant recipients of the 2026 Intact Olympian Impact program and their projects are outlined below. More information on the grant's selection process and selected projects can be found here.

Recipients

Podium

Andre De Grasse Future Champions Scholarship Program led by Andre De Grasse (Athletics - Paris 2024, Tokyo 2020, Rio 2016) - Across Canada
Financial assistance, mentorship, coaching, nutrition and academic support for emerging Canadian track and field athletes, reducing barriers for youth from marginalized and remote communities so talented athletes can stay in sport and progress toward high-performance competition.

Girls CAN Wrestling led by Leah Ferguson (Wrestling – London 2012) - Across Canada
Training, mentorship and funding for women coaches across Canada to deliver girl-centred wrestling programs, increasing girls' participation and retention while strengthening women's leadership in coaching.

MOMentum led by Jill Moffatt (Rowing – Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024) - Across Canada
Financial grants for pregnant and mothering Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes, paired with a new podcast that shares athlete experiences and expert knowledge, to help athletes pursue both parenthood and high-performance sport.

Projet Air Force led by Nicolas Fontaine (Freestyle Skiing - Salt Lake City 2002, Nagano 1998, Lillehammer 1994) - Quebec
Olympian-led trampoline and water-ramp training that introduces young skiers to freestyle aerials, removing financial barriers and creating a pathway into competitive aerial skiing while promoting gender parity and safe development.

Play

Find Your Sport led by Jay Dearborn (Bobsleigh - Milano Cortina 2026, Beijing 2022) - Ontario
Free, inclusive multi-sport programming for 2,900 children and youth ages 4 to 18, with targeted opportunities for those facing financial, social, cultural or accessibility barriers, delivered with BGC South East.

Iyarhe Nakoda Ski Team led by Megan Imrie (Biathlon -  Sochi 2014, Vancouver 2010) - Alberta
Free cross-country skiing for Indigenous youth in Grades 7 to 12, delivered with Spirit North, by removing barriers such as transportation, equipment, food, clothing and coaching costs.

One Sky Sports: From the Court to Community led by Paige Crozon (3x3 Basketball – Paris 2024) - Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba
Free, Olympian-led basketball and leadership programming for Grade 5 and 6 students, prioritizing rural, Indigenous and underserved communities.

Real Wild Kittens led by Juliette Pelchat (Snowboard - Milano Cortina 2026 ) - BC
Inclusive, athlete-led skateboarding programs where girls and other participants build skills, confidence and belonging in action sports, with free programming and equipment support and plans to expand to more communities and sports across Canada.

Sami Jo Small Hockey School led by Sami Jo Small (Ice Hockey - Salt Lake City 2002) - Manitoba
Inclusive, accessible hockey development for youth ages 6 to 17 through coaching, mentorship, para hockey integration and financial bursaries.

Toutes en mouvement led by Annie Guglia (Skateboarding - Tokyo 2020) - Quebec
A free, female-focused multi-sport event where girls and young women can try different sports, meet elite athletes and connect with local clubs.

Planet

Bike Bus led by Tim Peterson (Swimming - Sydney 2000) - BC
A free, supervised group cycling program that turns the school commute into physical activity for children and families, increasing access to cycling while reducing car trips.

Drive into Gear led by Mirela Rahneva (Skeleton - Beijing 2022, PyeongChang 2018) - Alberta
A dedicated collection trailer that expands the Calgary Flames Sports Bank's capacity to collect, reuse and recycle donated sports equipment, reducing financial barriers to youth sport while keeping equipment out of landfills.

Quotes

"This program truly emphasizes the power of sport, bringing the Olympic spirit deeper into communities across the country. These 12 athletes are inspiring both on and off the field of play, and their incredible programs will make a profound impact on young people and their ability to play and stay in sport. We're so proud to be working with Intact to support these initiatives."

– Jacqueline Ryan, Chief Brand and Commercial Officer of the COC and CEO of the Canadian Olympic Foundation

"Intact has long supported sport in Canada, from grassroots programs to the podium. Through Intact Olympian Impact, these 12 Olympians are transforming their experience into meaningful programs that remove barriers and create more opportunities for young people to participate in sport. We're proud to support their leadership and help extend their impact in communities across Canada."

– Imen Zitouni, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Intact Insurance

I'm honoured to be an Intact Olympian Impact grant recipient and grateful to both Intact and the Canadian Olympic Committee for facilitating the program. This funding will support the Andre De Grasse Future Champions Program, which helps up-and-coming high school track athletes access the resources and opportunities they need to earn university scholarships and become champions both in the classroom and on the track. I'm proud to help the next generation of athletes pursue their dreams and reach their full potential."

- Andre De Grasse, OLY, C.M., OOnt, 3x Olympian and 7x Olympic Medallist

"The Sports Bank removes barriers to sport for youth across Southern Alberta by collecting and redistributing new and gently used equipment. As advocates for both accessibility and environmental sustainability, receiving the Intact Olympian Impact Grant is deeply meaningful to us. This funding will directly gear up local kids while extending the life cycle of every piece of equipment through our safety inspection, sanitization, and recirculation program. We are proud to receive this support and join Team Canada in advancing their 2035 goals of empowering healthy play and fostering a sustainable planet."

- Mirela Rahneva OLY, 2x Olympian

"I remember being at the Olympic Games and seeing the word legacy everywhere in the Olympic Village. It really made me think about what I wanted my own legacy to be and the impact I could have on sport in Canada. More than a decade later, it's pretty special to see that come to life through Girls CAN. Thanks to the Intact Olympian Impact grant, we get to bring this work into communities across the country, create better opportunities for girls and women in wrestling, and build that legacy alongside some of my best friends. That's something I'm incredibly proud of."

- Leah Ferguson OLY, Olympian

Key Facts

• Intact is committing $1 million over three years to Intact Olympian Impact, fueling Olympian-led community sports projects across Canada.
• Selected projects align with Team Canada 2035 pillars: Play, Podium, or Planet.
• For more information, visit https://oly.olympic.ca/intact-olympian-impact/ 

About Intact Financial Corporation
Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC) is a global provider of property and casualty insurance founded on core values and a belief that insurance is about people, not things. Intact's success is fueled by its 32,000 employees worldwide who embody the company's purpose: to help people, businesses and society prosper in good times and be resilient in bad times. To achieve its ambitions, Intact seeks to ensure customers are its advocates, its people are engaged, and the company is one of the most respected.  

Intact is the largest provider of property and casualty insurance in Canada and has successfully exported its strengths across North America, the UK and Europe. Its growing commercial and specialty solutions network now spans over 170 countries. With a customer-driven mindset, Intact has expanded its operations to include insurance distribution, restoration, and prevention.

Intact solidifies its outperformance by leveraging its competitive advantages: global leadership in data and AI for pricing and risk selection; deep claims expertise and integrated supply chain network; and strong capital and investment management. Intact's total annual operating Direct Premiums Written has tripled over the last decade to $25 billion. Explore Intact's offerings at intactfc.com.

About the Canadian Olympic Committee
The Canadian Olympic Committee believes sport has the power to transform Canada. Team Canada 2035 is our commitment to safe, inclusive, barrier free sport so more young people can play and stay in sport. We will achieve that through a relentless focus on Podium, Play and Planet, so the next generation of Canadian athletes can achieve their Olympic dreams. Learn more at olympic.ca.

About OLY Canada
Launched in 2017, OLY Canada is COC's alumni program led by the OLY Canada Commission, composed of Olympians retired from competition who represent the voices of Legacy Olympians across Canada. The commission contributes to Intact Olympian Impact, formerly named OLY Canada Legacy Grant, which is now in its 7th edition. The post-nominal letters (OLY) provide Olympians with a lifelong recognition of their years of dedication, achievement and commitment to Olympic values.

SOURCE Intact Financial Corporation