RBC Training Ground

Over the last 75 years, RBC has championed the growth of the Olympic Movement in Canada by supporting grassroots initiatives that give youth access to sport and by providing the country’s top athletes with the added support they need to reach the Olympic podium.

Canada’s largest financial institution has become a leader in developing the next generation of Olympians, most notably with the launch of RBC Training Ground in 2016.

RBC, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and Canadian Olympic Foundation partnered up in 2016 to launch RBC Training Ground – a series of regional qualifying events designed to help partnering sports uncover athletes with Olympic potential. At RBC Training Ground events, athletes between the ages of 14 and 25 are tested in speed, strength, power, and endurance by National Sport Organizations and the Canadian Olympic Paralympic Sport Institute Network. Results are then compared against high-performance benchmarks, with (up to) the top 30 athletes receiving funding and support needed to pursue their Olympic aspirations.

In 2021, the first RBC Training Ground alumni compete in an Olympic Games. Eight RBC Training Ground athletes competed at Tokyo 2020, bringing home two gold, one silver and one bronze. Five RBC Training Ground athletes competed at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games bringing home three bronze medals.

Since its inception, RBC Training Ground has tested more than 12,000 athletes across Canada with over 1600 of them being identified as having Olympic potential and invited for further testing with our National Sport Organization partners.

Year eight of RBC Training Ground will return to free in-person qualifying events across the country, guided by local health and safety protocols. Athletes are encouraged to visit RBCTrainingGround.ca to register and learn more about event information for all local RBC Training Ground events.

National Sport Organization program partners in 2023 include; Boxing Canada; Canoe Kayak Canada; Climbing Escalade Canada; Cycling Canada Cyclisme; Freestyle Canada, Luge Canada; Rowing Canada Aviron, Rugby Canada; Speed Skating Canada; Triathlon Canada;Volleyball Canada and Wrestling Canada. This will give more yet-to-be-discovered athletes the chance to further fuel their Olympic dreams.

For more information on the 2023 qualifying format, please visit RBCTrainingGround.ca