Since the inception of Own the Podium, Canada’s performance at the Summer Olympic Games has shown steady progress. After the program began supporting summer sports through the Road to Excellence initiative in the lead-up to the 2010 Games, Canada climbed from 19th place in total medals in 2004 to a best-ever 15th in 2008.

Following continued investment and the formal incorporation of OTP in 2012, further gains were made. The introduction of targeted strategies such as Innovation for Gold, team sport development, and the NextGen program contributed to consistent improvements in results. Canada's total medal count rose from 18 in 2012 to 24 in 2016, 24 again in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo 2020 Games (held in 2021), and reached 27 medals at Paris 2024—its highest summer total to date.

These outcomes underscore the impact of sustained, strategic investment and partnership based on technical guidance in high-performance sport.

The investment in Own the Podium to fully prepare Canadian athletes for the 2010 Olympic Games saw Team Canada improved from fifth overall at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games to being the number one nation in gold medal ranking in Vancouver-Whistler, with Canada’s Olympians winning a record number of 14 gold medals (26 overall).

Following the 2010 Games, OTP received renewed federal support and evolved into a cornerstone of Canada’s high-performance sport system. Initiatives emphasizing innovation, coaching excellence, mental wellness, and sport science propelled continued success. Consistently delivering top results on the international stage has solidified Canada's presence on the global stage in winter sport.

Thanks to continued investment and long-term belief and commitment from the Government of Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee to supporting high-performance sport in the country, Team Canada’s athletes and coaches have continued to elevate the nation’s sporting performance every time they march into the Olympic stadium. Canada has steadily achieved more podium finishes and celebrated a record-setting 29-medal haul in 2018. More importantly, the performance of Team Canada’s athletes has also contributed to a stronger national identity and international reputation – demonstrating the power of sport and its ability to inspire and unite by winning well.

With the performance bar continuously being raised and the evolution of Paralympic sport globally, Canada’s performance has not kept pace, and was in steady decline. Recognizing that additional attention was required to support Canada’s Paralympic summer sport athletes in an effort to reverse this downward trend (3rd in 2008 to 7th in 2021), Own the Podium and its partners commissioned and collaborated on a “made for Canada” Paralympic Summer Sport Strategy in 2023 to improve the nation’s progress, with sustainability at the forefront, at future Paralympic Games.

The increase to Para-sport specificity led to a positive upturn in performance in Paris 2024 for Canada’s Paralympic summer-sport athletes, resulting in 29 medals across more sports, marking a significant step forward and a hopeful turning point in the nation’s summer Paralympic journey.

Canada’s Winter Paralympic sport program has been a consistent source of national pride, with significant gains made through the support of Own the Podium. At the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, Canada reached an all-time high, winning 10 gold medals and finishing third in the gold medal standings, with 19 medals overall. This marked a major leap in the Overall Medal Ranking from finishing in sixth place in 2006, and established Canada as a global force in Paralympic winter sport.

Building on that success, Own the Podium has continued to invest in world-class coaching, sport science, and athlete support. These efforts have helped not only maintain Canada’s competitive standing in an increasingly challenging international field but have seen the maple leaf raised above more Paralympic podiums than ever before.  Strategic initiatives focused on innovation, athlete wellness, and performance planning have ensured that Canada remains a top contender, contributing to a strong and resilient high-performance system. Canada’s Paralympic athletes jumped from winning 16 medals in 2014 to a record-setting 28 podium finishes in 2018 for second place. With the performance bar continuously being raised, and more nations now in the Paralympic medal mix, Team Canada racked up 25 medals in 2022 for third place overall.

Winter Paralympic athletes continue to embody excellence and inspire Canadians across the country, reflecting the impact of long-term commitment, partnership, and performance-driven support.