A young Courtenay athlete was named this week as one of the 100 finalists for the RBC Training Ground program.
Luka Markon, a 14-year-old from Courtenay, was named as one of the finalists in the program. The RBC Training Ground program identifies people who have potential to represent Canada in the Olympics some day. However, Markon has Olympic potential in a sport he'd never even considered: luge.
Markon was one of 2,500 athletes aged 14-25 from a wide range of sports who participated in local qualifier events. The events test non-specific things like core speed, strength, power and endurance. Scouts either help athletes find a sport to which they'd be best suited or help with a funding boost for those with established sports.During RBC Training Ground National Final testing, athletes’ speed, power, strength, and endurance will again be tested against sport-specific, high-performance benchmarks under supervision of program sport partners. An athlete’s anthropomorphic measurements (height, wingspan, etc), sport-specific testing (conducted following the qualifier stage) and competitive sport history also play a role in who is selected for funding.
“Luka has a strong interest in luge, athletic abilities, and enthusiasm for learning and developing in the sport,” said Sam Edney, High Performance Director, Luge Canada. “He’s earned his spot in the national final through his testing results at RBC Training Ground and in the sport-specific testing we’ve done with him.”
The top 100 deemed to have great Olympic potential will now compete in the RBC Training Ground national final on Saturday November 2, 2024 in Halifax Nova Scotia. Thirty athletes from the final will earn funding, a spot on Team Canada with one of twelve partner National Sport Organizations, and an accelerated path to the Olympics.
The finalists, who will have transportation hotel and food covered by RBC, will be joined at the Final by RBC Training Ground alumni and several Olympic medalists.
The 30 athletes selected for funding will be announced in the weeks following the final. The funding is administered by the participating National Sport Organization bringing the athlete into its system, and is used for things like coaching, transportation, travel, equipment, and nutrition. Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, Canoe Kayak Canada, Climbing Canada, Cycling Canada, Freestyle Canada, Luge Canada, Rowing Canada, Rugby Canada, Speed Skating Canada, Volleyball Canada, Football (Flag) Canada, Squash Canada and Wrestling Canada – all looking to identify new talent for development.
