Note:This information was received in an email and is being reprinted here in the hope of soliciting much needed support for Canada's Track and Field program. This page will have opened in a new window; close it to return to the Runner's Web.
To All Athletes, Coaches, Administrators, Volunteers and Friends of Sport:
What I am forwarding to you comes as a result of Kathy Butler's decision to leave the Canadian Sport System and go to Great Britain where she will run for GB in the next Olympic Games. This, for Athletics (T&F, Road & Cross Country Running), is devastating and quite symptomatic of a "Sport and A Sport System In Crisis".
Brent McFarlane has put together a huge amount of information, which is being forwarded to you with this covering memo. It is very important that the Sport Community speak out. We need to make the politicians know that what is happening is wrong. WE need to let the CANADIAN PUBLIC know that there is little if any money going from their lottery/lotto dollars to SPORT. (In British Columbia there are ZERO dollars from lotteries going to Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture).
Lottery dollars are directed to Health - 50%, with the balance going to General Revenue. Non Profit societies are eligible for Gaming (casino/bingo) revenues but the support levels vary and the number of Non-profit groups continue to increase so the demand grows.
Please read through the information provided by Brent - take 30 minutes to draft a letter to you MP and MLA and PASS this information on to your Sport Colleagues, Friends, Media outlets - anyone who you think might be helpful in making the case for "Saving Our Sport System".
Thank you.
Brian McCalder, President/CEO, BC Athletics Ph: (604) 737-3173 Fax: (604) 737-3171 email: brian.mccalder@bcathletics.org
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: Kathy Butler
Date: Wed, 03 Nov 1999 00:22:59 +0000
From: "Brent McFarlane" <bmcfarlane@continuum.org>
To: brian.mccalder@bcathletics.org
MISSION 2000 AND BEYOND
A QUEST FOR A NATIONAL AMATEUR SPORTS AND ARTS LOTTERY
SUCCESS WAITS FOR ALL THAT JOIN!
BY BRENT & VICKI MCFARLANE - FOR CANADIANS
REACH FOR THE STARS AND SUCCEED FOR AMATEUR SPORTS AND THE ARTS
MISSION STATEMENT
TO LOBBY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO RE-INSTITUTE A NATIONAL LOTTERY TO PROVIDE FOR CANADIANS FROM CANADIANS FUNDING FOR AMATEUR SPORT AND THE ARTS
RATIONALE
- AMATEUR SPORTS AND THE ARTS ARE DYING IN CANADA
- CANADIAN ATHLETES ARE LEAVING CANADA TO COMPETE FOR OTHER COUNTRIES BECAUSE WE CANNOT SUPPORT THEM IN CANADA (SEE KATHY BUTLER ARTICLE)
- 250 OF CANADAıS TOP ATHLETES ARE ON SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE USA BECAUSE WE CANNOT SUPPORT THEM
ATHLETICS CANADA’S NEED FOR MORE GOVıT FUNDING - OLYMPIC TEAM DOOMED TO FAIL!
Compiled by Brent McFarlane
Did you know? Canada vs. The World - How do we fair?
- in 1988 Athletics Canadaıs budget from Sport Canada grants was $3 million
(this did not include Athletes with Disabilities)
- in 1999 AC budget from Sport Canada government grants was down to $1.29 million (which now included $265,000 for Athletes with Disabilities)
- Note the competitions budgets for England
is $16 million pounds ($32 million Canadian) and comes
from lotteries not from taxes. The following countries
funding comes from Federal Government Support:
i) England = $16 million pounds ($32 million Canadian) comes from lotteries not from taxes
ii) Spain = $10 million
iii) France = $12 million
iv) Australia = $7.5 million
AMATEUR SPORTS IMPORTANCE IN CANADA - TODAY
- the entire amateur sport system budgets for Canadaıs 43 sports including all athletic assistance (carding, salaries, and program) is $56 million per year
- a $56 million budget means (equals) each Canadian citizen pays $1.90 towards amateur sport in Canada. Is there a Canadian who thinks that this is too much?
A TRUE CANADIAN - A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS WITH DRIVE, INTEGRITY AND A VISION FOR ALL AMATEUR SPORTS !
- the Dennis Mills Report (Fed. Liberal MP) took a year & half to look at amateur & professional sport in Canada and made 68 recommendations for improving amateur sport and one recommendation for professional sport.
- The 68 recommendations to improve amateur sport have still not been accepted.
- the one recommendation made for professional sport (franchises) is under discussion as $5 million handout to the NHL to keep hockey in Canada.
THE WORLD AND ATHLETICS
- in the World Championships for sport, note the total number of countries
IS THERE A VALUE FOR AMATEUR SPORT IN CANADA ? DOES OUR
GOVERNMENT CARE ABOUT CANADIAN AMATEUR SPORT?
- Athletics in Canada is a 4 cent sport (includes 1 cents for Athletes
- CBC TV has requested AC to pay $70,000 to have the 2000 Canadian Track & Field Olympic Trials (National Champs) in Victoria, BC broadcast to Canadians or CBC WILL NOT broadcast this major sporting event (BBC in England just paid $10 million pounds to British Athletics, $24 million Canadian dollars, for a multi year deal to televise UK Athletics).
QUESTIONS CANADIANS NEED ANSWERED NOW!
- Where are the funds for amateur sport going ? Where do they come from?
- Why have amateur sport budgets been cut while funding for professional sports (franchises) is being considered? Who is lobbying the government for these funds? Who will benefit most? The government Red Book program has meant that our funds have been flat for three years
- Why is only 3% of lottery money going to amateur sport and the arts? Otto Jelinek cancelled the Olympic Lottery of 1976 and gave it to the provinces. There is no national lottery. Lotto 649 is Ontario. Wintario used to be for sports but now goes to pay for health care!
- Why are Canadian Olympians leaving Canada to compete for other countries? (see Kathy Butler article)(other athletes may leave!).
- Why is only $1.90 of our tax dollar going to amateur sports?
- Why is CBC requesting $70,000 from Athletics Canada to show the 2000 Canadian Olympic Trials or they will not be shown on TV?
- Why has Sports Canada reduced the number of athlete’s cards which would keep them in Canada? In fact the number of cards were reduced & payments increased but Athletics Canada went from 90 carded athletes to 50 in the reduction. We lost our hopeful (developing athletes) cards.
- Our Olympic Games Team Budget is less than $200,000. How are we to compete against countries who have millions (see profile page)?
- What kind of support is there in the Canadian public for our Olympic hopefuls? Donations & financial support are going where? The public should be told to donate support (($) directly to an athlete or a team to put money where it is needed.
- How can we reach Sheila Copps? Who do we see for assistance? Amateur Sport has no direct line to the minister.
- Why did Lennox Lewis, after winning an Olympic gold medal for Canada, leave to live in England as a professional boxer?
- Where is the money going from the huge profits from Ontario Casinos? These casinos are killing the only source for years of money to amateur sports in Canada - bingo!
- Canadaıs top track and field athletes have succeeded on their own or gone elsewhere to succeed: i) Mark Boswell, 2nd in World Championships in 1999, trains in Texas with Dan Pfaff; ii) Donovan Bailey, the 1996 Olympic 100 m champion (and world record holder), also trains in the USA with Dan Pfaff; iii) Graham Hood (Arkansas) and Kevin Sullivan (Michigan) our top 1500m runners train with coaches in the USA; iv) Bruny Surin trains with Dan Pfaff in Texas and consults with other runners training there. What coach in Canada can do the same?
- Look at the great Canadian drain (exit) to the USA - why? Canadian life style has changed enormously in the last 10 years. Even secondary school physical education(health) and coaching have a huge reliance on volunteer coaches (no payment) . Would this occur in a science class?
- Over 250 Canadian athletes are on USA scholarships. We have no Canadian equivalent since the CIAU will not approve athletic scholarships.
CALL AND ASK YOUR LOCAL MP THESE POINTED QUESTIONS AND DEMAND AN ANSWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WATERLOO TRACK AND FIELD STAR
KATHY BUTLER TO RUN FOR ENGLAND
IN 2000 SYDNEY OLYMPIC GAMES
A TRUE CANADIAN STORY - CANADAıS LOSS!
Prepared by Brent McFarlane
Canadian Track & Field Head Coach, Sydney 2000
Contacts
Kathy Butler - (1-608-233-4324)
Email: kbutler@earthlink.net
John Thresher - CEO / President AC - (1-877-226-2290)
Brent McFarlane - Sydney 2000 - (884-2074)
Email: bmcfarlane@continuum.org
Local Waterloo track & field and cross country international star Kathy Butler has received approval from Athletics Canada President and CEO John Thresher to run for England in 2000. Under the IAAF rules, the international body controlling the world of Athletics, Kathy would be eligible in September of 2000 to compete for England if she qualified for their Olympic Team for Sydney. Butler, who grew up in Waterloo and who was an outstanding local competitor in track and cross country for WCI her entire high school career, won numerous local, regional, OFFICE and National championship titles. Kathy Butler represented Waterloo and Canada in numerous national and international competitions. John Thresher, CEO of Athletics Canada states: "Kathy is a remarkable local (K-W) female role model, competitor and great young lady - and we (K-W and, Athletics Canada & Canada) are losing her . This is sad day for Canadian Athletics".
Head Coach of Canadaıs 2000 Track & Field Olympic Team (KWTFA & Univ. of Waterloo), Brent McFarlane : "It is a dark day for Canadians when we lose such an outstanding young lady and athlete to another country because we do not have the government financial support needed to adequately service Kathyıs basic living, competitive and training needs. We all should be asking ourselves and our local politicians why has this happened? Where is the needed government support? We are expected to compete at the international level on a fair playing ground when our budget(s) for Athletics Canada are hugely under funded - in fact millions of dollars below countries at the same competitive level as Canada. We have performed miracles with our limited government funding".
While in university , after only two years at the Univ. of Guelph (and several CIAU medals), Kathy went to Wisconsin where she now lives and trains because she was forced to leave Canada since she lost her carding (funding) support from Sport Canada due to a blood disorder. She was one of 250 Canadian athletes presently on an athletic scholarship in the USA!².
In 1999 Kathy paid her own way to the World Cross-Country Championships in Belfast because there were no funds to send her. She ran an outstanding race representing Canada - placing fourth in the WORLD! She paid her own way to represent her country. Thatıs wrong!
To compete for Canada Kathy had to pay each year of her career, a $250 Canadian team fee to subsidize lack of government funding and cut backs to her sport. To compete at the international level, athletes at Kathyıs level are full time athletes with minimal sources of income. They need all the financial and government support they can get to train, live and compete internationally for Canada. Brent McFarlane.
McFarlane further states that: "You canıt blame her for leaving. Itıs our lack of basic financial and government support which forced her to consider other options to survive. Our entire grant from Sport Canada (1999) was $1.29 million of which $265,000 goes towards Athletes with Disabilities. Englandıs budget is approximately $32 million, Spain $10 million, France $12 million, Australia $7.5 million (with less population than Canada). Our total budget from Athletics Canada for our Olympic Team for Sydney has been cut to less than $160,000. These other countries support their athletes and coaches to produce world level results. We have been producing miracles for a number of years on a minimal budget relative to the rest of the track and field world . How can we successfully compete against that? Kathy Butler went to the United States because we did not support her!...and now England. She needed our (Canada) support to survive and we could not offer it. Some things have to change to prevent this from happening in the future. We need to wake up our politicians to the disasters that occur from cutting budgets . A number of lotteries were initially set up to help amateur sport and the arts . Today, less than 3 percent of any Ontario lottery monies goes towards amateur sport. Where does the rest go? We need to reinstitute a national lottery too financially support our amateur athletes, all amateur sports and teams. Ask your local MP to support this! We have other Canadian track and field athletes whom have the same dilemma and options open to them as did Kathy Butler. How many ŒCanadianı athletes do we have to lose to the USA or England before we wake up? Presently , there are over 250 of Canadaıs top athletes in the United States on scholarships because Œweı cannot support them. Most of them are so worn out when that return home after an NCAA season or year, that they cannot physically compete (for Canada) at any major games." (McFarlane)
John Thresher continues on the issue of financial support and funding for Canadian track & field athletes & a few key sports: There are some facts everyone - all Canadians- should know !.
QUOTE!
* in 1988 Athletics Canadaıs grant from Sport Canada was $3 million plus money from private sponsorship(this amount did not include Athletes with Disabilities); 1999 our grant was $1.29 million from Sport Canada grants (including $265 for Athletes with Disabilities)
* Note the competitions budgets for: i) England = $16 million pounds ($32 million Canadian) comes from lotteries not from taxes ii) Spain =$10 million iii) France = $12 million iv) Australia $7.5 million (Australia has less population than Canada)
* the entire amateur sport systems budget for Canadaıs 43 sports including all athletic assistance (carding, salaries, and program) is $56 million per year
* a $56 million budget means (equals) each Canadian citizen pays $1.90 of our taxes go towards amateur sport in Canada... Is there a Canadian who thinks this is too much?
* the Dennis Mills Report (Fed. Liberal MP) took a year & half to look at amateur & professional sport in Canada - made 68 recommendations for improving amateur sport and one recommendation for professional sport * 68 recommendations to improve amateur sport have not been accepted at this point in time
* the one recommendation made for professional sport (franchises) is under discussion -a $5 million handout to NHL to keep hockey in Canada * in the World Championships for ALL sport our government should note the total number of countries participating : i) Hockey = 20 nations ii) Basketball = 12 nations iii) Baseball = 1 nation (USA World Series???) iv) Athletics (Track & Field ) = 210 nations (4000 athletes) Cross Country = 115 nations (750 athletes), Soccer = 180 nations. By far, the greatest number of nations competing in any single sport at the World Championship levels are in track & field and cross-country.
* Athletics (track & field) in Canada is a 4 cent sport (includes 1 cent for Athletes with Disabilities) . Every Canadian contributes 4 cents each from their taxes to Athletics. A 1-cent increase would improve ACıs budget by $300,000 making it a 5-cent sport. How many Canadians could afford a 1-cent increase to help our athletes compete at the world level?
* CBC (TV broadcaster) has requested Athletic Canada to pay $60,000 to have the 2000 Canadian Track & Field Olympic Trials (National Championships) in Victoria, BC (August 11-13,1999) aired on TV (broadcast to Canadians) or CBC ŒWILL NOT broadcast this major sporting event in the Olympic year. Government under Sheila Coppıs Ministry runs the CBC * BBC in England just paid $10 million pounds to British Athletics ($24 million Canadian ) for a multi year deal to televise UK Athletics (Track & Field)
KATHY BUTLER PROFILE - 1999
Provided by Michele Walker - Athletics Canada Staff
PERSONAL BEST:
1500m - 4:10.09 - Live 98, Nuremburg, GER (11JUL98)
Mile - 4:27.71 - Bellinzona, ITA (01JUL98)
3000m - 8:48.37 - Mobil Bislett Games, Oslo, NOR (30JUN99)
5000m - 15:10.69 - DN Galan, Stockholm, SWE (05AUG98)
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Female Height: 175 cm
Born: 22 OCT 1973 Weight: 54 kg
Birthplace: Edinburgh, SCO Marital Status: Single
Hometown: Waterloo, ON, CAN Club: Etobicoke Gladstone
Residence: Madison, WI, USA Coach: Peter Grinsberg/Peter Tegen
Languages: English Occupation: Full-time Athlete
1998 CANADIAN RANKINGS:
1500m - 1st - 4:10.09 - Live, Nuremburg, GER (11JUL98)
Mile - 4th - 4:27.71 - Bellinzona, ITA (01JUL98)
3000m - 1st -8:50.70 @ - Cork, IRL (27JUN98) (enroute to 2 miles)
5000m - 1st - 15:10.69 - DN Galan, Stockholm, SWE (05AUG98)
PAST PERFORMANCES:
1999 World Championships, Seville, ESP (5,000m) dnf
World Cross Country Championships, Belfast, IRL (4km) 4 15:30
Canadian Championships, Winnipeg, CAN (5000m) 1 15:56.19
1998 Commonwealth Games, Kuala Lumpur, MAS (5000m) dnf
IAAF World Cup, Johannesburg, RSA (3000m) 7 4:07.68
World University Games, Sicily, ITA (1500m) 5
4:13.27
1996 Olympic Games, Atlanta, USA (5000m) r1 15:47.50
World Cross-Country Championships dnf
NCAA Championships, USA (1500m) 1 9:16.19
1995 Canadian Championships, Montreal, CAN (5000m) 1 16:17.42
NCAA Championships, USA (3000m) 1 9:35.33
World Cross Country Championships, Durham, GBR) 39 25:09
1994 Canadian Championships, Victoria, CAN (1500m) 9 4:33.61
Canadian Championships, Victoria, CAN (3000m) 7 9:25.78
1993 Canadian Championships, Coquitlam, CAN (3000m) 5 9:36.52
1992 World Junior Championships, Sydney, AUS (3000m) 15 9:29.39
Canadian Championships, Coquitlam, CAN (1500m) 12 4:35.28
Canadian Championships, Coquitlam, CAN (3000m) 8 9:46.79
Canadian Jr.Championships, Winnipeg, CAN (3000m) 1 9:38.48
Olympic Trials, Montreal, CAN (3000m) 8 9:29.71
1991 World Cross Country Championships (Jr), Antwerp, BEL 47 15:28
EVENT PROGRESSIONS
Year Age 1500m Mile 3000m 5000m
1998 25 4:10.09 4:27.71 8:50.7@ 15:10.69
1997 24 4:07.68 4:33.25 8:48.61 15:28.26
1996 23 4:15.64 - 9:16.19 15:36.76
1995 22 4:11.24 - 9:05.97 15:41.30
1994 21 4:28.39 - 9:20.14 -
1993 20 4:29.85 - 9:36.52 -
1992 19 4:27.95 - 9:15.1 -
BIOGRAPHY
Kathy Butler was ranked 19th in the world in the 3000m and 5000m. She finished an amazing 4th at the 1999 World Cross-Country Championships in Belfast, Ireland. She was the first international competition was the 1990 World Junior Cross Country Championships in Aix-les Bains, France where she finished 59th. Kathy set a national indoor record over 5000m of 15:37 at the 1997 Cannon Classic in Indianapolis, USA and a national best over 2 miles of 9:27 in 1998 in Cork City, Ireland.
Kathy was slowed in 1993 by exercise induced asthma. Kathy lost the entire 1994 outdoor season suffering from Grave's disease, the devastating thyroid condition - she spent a year on medication and is now in remission.
She was initially a student at the University of Guelph, but due to her medical condition, she lost her carding status in Canada and went to the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. She continued to live in Madison, Wisconsin, where she trains with American Suzy Hamilton. She has been most inspired by Sebastien Coe, who won Olympic gold in the 1500 metres in 1980 and 1984, and is among the all-time greats in British sports - Butler was living in England at the time of his success and had just started her running career. She now trains in Britain.
Butler was born in Scotland, and moved to Canada with her family at age 11... attended from Waterloo Collegiate Institute in Waterloo, Ontario...graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin - was named the University's Female Athlete of the Year in 1997.. Her parents are Michael and Val and she has an older sister Joanne.
KEY CANADIAN PEOPLE TO HELP ANSWER & ASK QUESTIONS
Athletics Canada
* John Thresher - President & CEO 1-877-226-2290
* Cecil Smith - History of Athletics
* Brent McFarlane , Head Coach 2000 Olympic Team (884-2074)
Athletes : * Glenroy Gilbert * Kathy Butler - 608-233-4324
Swimming : * Harold Cliff
Liberal MP : * Dennis Mills - 416-462-3250