Olympic and Paralympic athletes from Ontario received a $700,000 boost from the provincial government Thursday, a move praised by double gold medallist Alex Baumann as a way to improve on Canada's disappointing podium performances of late.

"There is a renewed focus on excellence, there is increased collaboration and a will to change the system," said Baumann, a former top swimmer who is now executive director of the Canadian Olympic Committee's Road to Excellence program.

"What I've seen is some very positive changes in Ontario and the rest of Canada."

Baumann, once a vocal critic of Canada's sport policy, was hired 16 months ago to pump up the country's medal count. He said Thursday's announcement shows different levels of government have started working together — an integral piece of the puzzle once lacking in Canada's Olympic program.

"Things are starting to align," he said. "One of the problems we always had was that Canada was an unco-ordinated system … and working with provinces is critical."

Canada aims for improvement in Beijing

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Canada placed a disappointing 21st in medal rankings, with three gold medals and just 12 overall. That marked a significant decline from 22 medals at Atlanta in 1996 and was also down from 14 medals at the Sydney Games in 2000.

Baumann — who won two gold medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles — has set a goal of finishing in the top 16 countries at the Beijing Summer Games, which start Aug. 8.

"Our goal in 2012 is to be a top-12 nation," he said, adding he wants Canada to among the top five countries at that year's Paralympics.

Baumann said the money will also be used for facility upgrades and to help athletes attend more competitions after Beijing.

The funding boost, which will flow from the Ontario government's $10-million Quest for Gold program, follows a COC announcement late last year that athletes would be paid for winning Olympic medals — a first in Canadian sport history.

A gold medal will be worth $20,000, a silver worth $15,000 and a bronze $10,000.

Ontario Health Promotion Minister Margarett Best said the money will help athletes in eight sports, including diving, gymnastics and wheelchair basketball.

"Today's investment supports the McGuinty government's commitment to amateur sport," she said.

"Ultimately, it is meant to help them reach Olympic and Paralympic podiums."

Canadian wrestler Tonya Verbeek, who won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, said it's comforting to know more money is now available for the stressful run-up to the Beijing Games.

"It's a delight to know that we have extra funding for the next four months," she said.