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The increasing commercialism and professionalism of sport through the medium of television has had an impact upon the policy of the Canadian government toward sport. Facing pressure from separatist movements within the country, the government has made athletics a keystone in the drive for national unity. The cultural significance of sport and the need to place priority on the pursuit of international excellence has been emphasized. While amateur participation continues to be encouraged, programs receiving government support focus primarily on competitive elite sport, particularly hockey. Grants-in-aid are given to promising young athletes with Olympic potential to the detriment of programs directed toward fitness and recreation for the average athlete. The prevalent form of professional and elite amateur sport poses a threat to mass participatory sport programs and may possibly permeate youth sport programs to the extent that intrinsic outcomes of participation will no longer hold any attraction or value. For the young person who cannot perform at a level where the extrinsic rewards are forthcoming, the alternative may be dropping out of competitive sport programs. (JD)