Peters says Yecheon signals progress for Canada in transitional period

It means the current crop of Canadian archers operate in what Peters called an ‘athlete-led environment.’

“The structure is difficult,” admitted the 2024 Vegas Shoot bronze medallist when asked on the present coaching situation. “Ron’s still remote for us.” 

“Part of that is the reality of Canadian sport. That’s not uncommon… it’s the reality of the funding situations we have with Sport Canada and ‘Own the Podium’ which is part of our Olympic committee funding.” 

“I can’t say it’s been easy for everyone. At least until post-Paris, this is what we must work with, and I think we’ve done a good job of making the best of what we’ve got.”

Peters also explained how the team have prioritised training together with it previously being difficult to schedule due to the size of Canada.

A hub rather than a swathe of athletes, Peters believes is the best way to rebuild the country’s archery.

“This version of the team is a little bit more compact for sure. The travel is easier, and we’ve put bigger strides into being a team and training as a team and doing drills as a team, interacting as a team to build a culture that is going to take us somewhere that we were absent last year.”

Peters and his teammates certainly haven’t gone amiss in 2024, with the 26-year-old been a part of three medal teams including Yecheon, winning silver and bronze also in both men and mixed teams in the 2024 Pan American Championships.