The evolution of the Oval Program is now called the Oval Elite Athlete Pathway.
The Olympic Oval has provided high-performance coaching and training to long track and short track athletes for nearly three decades. Oval programs were established shortly after the 1988 Winter Olympics, when the need for high-level coaching for both Canadian and international athletes was deemed necessary.
Since that time, the Olympic Oval's short and long track programs have grown to more than 150 athletes and employ more than 10-speed skating coaches (full and part-time). Oval Elite Athlete Pathway Program athletes range in performance starting at provincial team level up to National Team level.
Athletes from around the world (Canada, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Columbia, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Israel, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Mongolia, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United States and Ukraine) have trained in the Olympic Oval speed skating programs.
The Olympic Oval short and long track programs continue to be the leaders in sports development and research. In this program, athletes have had tremendous success in setting world records, winning medals at Olympics, World Championships, World Cups, and qualifying for National teams.
Olympic Oval
The OVAL ELITE ATHLETE PATHWAY is our highest level training program with provincial, national and international athletes comprising the training groups. To gain admission, athletes must have recently achieved a performance time standard for their age classification. Athletes must also meet the application deadline to ensure a spot before reaching the Oval's maximum capacity. All eligible athletes who apply must be 16 years of age before the program's start date for that year. We strongly recommend that any athletes who are not of legal age have guardianship in Calgary. Training groups within the program will be dependent upon performance times, ability, age, training group dynamics and specialization.
The Olympic Oval short and long track programs continue to be the leaders in sports development and research. In this program, athletes have had tremendous success in setting world records, winning medals at Olympics, World Championships, World Cups, and qualifying for National teams.
Please note, all applications are subject to approval by the OVAL ELITE ATHLETE PATHWAY Directors. Those who do not meet the requirements are encouraged to contact the Calgary Speed Skating Association or the Calgary Grizzlies. Upon acceptance to the program, athletes must complete a formal application and read and sign an athlete code of conduct agreement that outlines all athletes' accountabilities and responsibilities. All payments received for the OVAL ELITE ATHLETE PATHWAY are NON-REFUNDABLE and due before training begins.
Acceptance into the Long Track Oval Program is based on specific requirements defined in our Long Track Elite Athlete Pathway Document. This document results from many months of development in consultation with Speed Skating Canada, Oval Programs and the Provincial / Territorial Speed Skating Associations and their member clubs.
We ask that you carefully take the time to read the document to understand where you fit regarding the requirements at the different stages of the pathway.
Acceptance into the Short Track Oval Program is based on the Short Track Elite Athlete Pathway Document's specific requirements. This document results from many months of development in consultation with Speed Skating Canada, Oval Programs and the Provincial / Territorial Speed Skating Associations and their member clubs.
We ask that you carefully take the time to read the document to understand where you fit regarding the requirements at the different stages of the pathway.
If you meet the requirements of the pathway or have any questions regarding the conditions, be sure to contact us as soon as possible to assist in processing your application.
The Elite Athlete Pathway program is really the cornerstone of speed skating here at the Olympic Oval. This program is designed to produce the best skaters in Canada before they enter the national speed skating team.
Jonathan Guilmette
Manager, High-Performance Sport
