'Devastating' funding crisis in Canadian sport is reaching a breaking point

In an ideal world, Canadian luger Caitlin Nash would be peaking in time for the 2030 Olympics.

But Nash fears she may not even get the chance to compete.

“I'm at a point where financially I can't sustain this lifestyle for that long,” Nash, 23, told CBC Sports. “I think it's pretty devastating to have that decision kind of being played out for me and it's not my decision. That's not, obviously, how I would want my career to end.

“I think if things don't change, we will see a lot of people retire after this quad across a lot of different sports in Canada.”

For 20 years, core funding for sport from the federal government has not increased — even though inflation has caused prices to rise by more than 50 per cent. According to the Bank of Canada, an item that would have cost $100 in 2005 would now cost $153.50. But that problem is two decades old.

In recent months, some national sport organizations (NSOs) have been informed that their funding is set to be slashed by the federal government. Total spending might remain the same, but there are many more mouths to feed now than there were in 2005.

Every year, the problem grows. And as the problem grows, the responsibilities of the financial burden get shifted down through the system. Not only do many NSOs struggle to operate efficiently — they struggle to operate at all. Thus, costs are increased across the board, from senior national athlete team fees to youth registration.

Nash, for example, will pay $25,000 in team fees for this Olympic season. On top of that, she will have to pay out of pocket to attend events from Lake Placid, N.Y., to Lillehammer, Norway.

Last season, she said her fee was $20,000, and it included everything.

“This year, to qualify for the Olympics, we