As Team Canada competing at the Olympic Games winds down competition and Canadians now turn our collective attention and support to the Paralympic Winter Games, the focus naturally falls on the athletes whose years of preparation culminate on the world stage. Behind every performance is an unwavering commitment to excellence and in many cases, organizations such as Alpine Ontario Alpin (AOA) who help develop and support Canadian athletes. These organizations embody high performance, inclusion, and impact—values that also guide how we serve our clients, support our colleagues, and engage with our communities.
Fasken’s involvement with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) as official legal service provider, and as a long-standing Alpine Ontario Alpin (AOA) partner reflects more than sponsorship. These relationships are grounded in these shared values and a belief that excellence, be it in sports or law, is achieved through sustained effort and teamwork.
Athletes dedicate years to refining their craft, performing under pressure and overcoming setbacks. Lawyers do much the same through rigorous preparation to help navigate complex challenges and deliver results for our clients when it matters most. It is our common belief that excellence is not accidental, but the product of preparation, collaboration and resilience.
“At its core, the Olympic and Paralympic movement is about striving for excellence,” says Karen Sargeant, Fasken Managing Partner, Ontario. “That’s something our lawyers relate to. We work with exceptionally talented people who are held to the highest standards and operate under real pressure every day.”
Fasken supports the Canadian sport system by providing value-in-kind legal services, such as direct to COC/National Sport Organization (NSO) legal support, co-op calls, and consultations that will be available to Canadian NSOs and athletes. This work helps ensure athletes and sport organizations can focus on performance, knowing they are supported by trusted legal expertise. Likewise, organizations like AOA depend heavily on volunteers and corporate support. Fasken’s contribution not only helps lessen the financial strain associated with the sport, but it enables a diverse group of participants to discover the joys of skiing and racing.
“The dedication and resilience it takes to be a successful athlete are skills that serve you well into life and along whichever career path you take,” says Sargeant. “We’re proud to partner with these organizations to help create opportunities for young athletes to build these critical skills,”
Fasken’s partnerships in sports are intentionally longterm. Supporting Canadian sport over time reflects Fasken’s broader philosophy: investing in relationships, standing by partners and contributing in ways that create lasting value.
Beyond elite performance, sport has a unique ability to bring people together, which is something Fasken sees reflected within its own culture.
“The Games and ski race programs give people something to rally around,” Sargeant says. “Across the country, Canadians tune in together or gather at the foot of the ski hill to watch our athletes compete. These activities have brought people together in a really meaningful way.”
By partnering with the COC and CPC and organizations like AOA, Fasken reinforces a simple but powerful idea: that excellence, earned through discipline, resilience and shared purpose, has the power to elevate individuals, organizations and communities alike.