Four athletes from Vancouver Island have earned funding and accelerated Olympic pathways through the 2024 RBC Training Ground program.
Megan Sampson (luge), Braeden Bossert (sport climbing), Katja Verkerk (track cycling), and Adia Pye (rugby), were among over 2,500 participants in the nationwide talent search, aimed at identifying Olympic potential.
Of the 100 finalists invited to the Nov. 2 event in Halifax, only 30 were awarded funding.
Sampson, 16, initially participated to boost her rugby career but was discovered by Luge coaches.
“I was really surprised,” she said. “They spotted something in the testing, and now I’m really enjoying it. This funding will help me get into it even more.” Sampson continues to play rugby at the club and school levels.
Verkerk, 20, shifted her focus from triathlon to track cycling after discovering the sport through the program.
“[It] has opened up a whole new world to me,” said Verkerk. “I was able to try track cycling, a sport I'd had an interest in but didn’t really know how to start. The program made it easy to try out and financially accessible with low program costs and free rental bike use.”
The RBC Training Ground program tests athletes across core physical metrics such as strength, endurance, and power, helping Olympic scouts identify athletes with the most potential for various sports. Funding is provided by the National Sport Organizations and covers expenses like coaching, travel, equipment, and nutrition.
Since its launch in 2016, the program has already seen 21 alumni compete in the Olympics, bringing home 14 medals, including seven at the Paris 2024 Games.
For more information on RBC Training Ground, visit rbctrainingground.ca.
