OTTAWA -- Canadian athletes keep racking up medals at the Sochi Olympics, and now more money is coming their way to keep them on the podium. Torrey Smith Authentic Jersey . Finance Minister Jim Flahertys latest budget -- released Tuesday while many Canadians were likely more interested on the Winter Games -- includes a $23-million annual boost in sports funding, starting next year. Of that, $11 million will be set aside for winter sports through Own the Podium, a not-for-profit group created to boost Canadas Olympic performances. The goal of Own the Podium is to prioritize funding on the Olympic and Paralympic sports in which Canada has the best shot at winning medals. It was born from the countrys crushing disappointment at failing to win gold medals on home turf at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and then again at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Canada went on to win a record 14 gold medals at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and a total of 18 medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The Canadian Olympic Committees goal for the Sochi Games is to improve on Vancouvers medal haul and finish at the top of the table for overall medals. So far, Canada has four more medals than at this point at the 2010 Games. On Tuesday, Canada trailed only Norway in the standings. Freestyle skier Dara Howell won Canadas fourth gold of the Sochi Games in the womens slopestyle event, while her teammate Kim Lamarre won the bronze. That brought Canadas medal count to nine -- four gold, three silver and two bronze. Only Norway, with 11 medals, has won more medals in Sochi. The rest of the $23 million in Flahertys budget will be divvied up between team sports, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Special Olympics Canada. In addition to that money, Special Olympics Canada is getting another $10.8-million spread over four years. "All Canadians are cheering on our Canadian athletes and coaches and celebrating their outstanding accomplishments at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia," the budget says. Also included in the budget is a measure aimed at retirement savings for amateur athletes. The measure would allow any income amateur athletes contributes to a trust to count as earned income for the purpose of determining their annual RRSP limit. Right now, any income contributed to an amateur athlete trust doesnt count as earned income, which limits the amount they can contribute to an RRSP. C.J. Mosley Ravens Jersey . -- Dwyane Wade was a late scratch from the Miami Heats starting lineup against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night because of nerve irritation in his left foot, leaving his status for the All-Star game in doubt. Steve Smith Sr Jersey .Com Tour. The former Canadian Amateur champion, who made his rookie year as a professional a memorable one, has had a long wait to get back on the course and after last season, hes anxious to play.BARCELONA, Spain - Kei Nishikori of Japan beat Colombias Santiago Giraldo 6-2, 6-2 to win the Barcelona Open on Sunday for his first career title on clay. Giraldo started well with an early break but an argument with the chair umpire about a line call seemed to rattle the unseeded player. Shortly afterward, Giraldo failed to reach Nishikoris drop shot before hitting a costly double-fault to cede back his serve. The fourth-seeded Nishikori went on to win eight straight games to claim the first set and take control of the match. He ended up converting five of seven break chances while Giraldo committed five double faults. Nishikori said he hopes his maiden win on clay will carry over to upcoming tournaments and the French Open. "This title and (my showing in) Miami helped my confidence, especially this week on clay,&quoot; said Nishikori. Steve Smith Sr Ravens Jersey. "There are three big tournaments coming up in Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros so I hope I can do well and increase my (ranking) points. My next goal is to get to the top 10." It was Nishikoris fifth career title on all surfaces and his second of the year. This is the first time a non-Spaniard has won the tournament at the Real Club de Tenis since 1996. Rafael Nadal won the tournament eight times during that period. Nishikori is coached by former French Open winner Michael Chang and Dante Bottini. "I was good on clay when I was little," Nishikori said. "I was winning all the European juniors events. Now its much tougher than hard courts and I was struggling a bit, but Ive been playing well these past couple years so theres no fear to play on clay." ' ' '
