CANADIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE APPLAUDS VICTORIA
SPORT COMMUNITY
VICTORIA -
In recognition that it takes partnership to produce Olympic heroes, the
Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) today hosted a reception at the Pacific
Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE) to honour the Victoria-area sport
community's contribution to strengthening the Canadian Olympic Team.
Victoria is
an established training hub for high-performance athletes for sports such
as Swimming, Rowing, Rugby and Triathlon, and the exclusive reception was
attended by scores of Victoria-area athletes, sport leaders and
volunteers.
"Some
of Canada's finest athletes were either raised or have trained for success
right here in Victoria," said Canadian Olympic Committee President
Marcel Aubut. "We have ample proof that the entire British Columbia
sport community understand the true meaning of the word 'team' and the
Canadian Olympic Team is the stronger for it."
"One
out of every five Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes reside in
Victoria and the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence is proud of the
role we play in supporting this inspiring community," said Peter
Lawless, Board member of both the COC and PISE. "We are delighted to
be joining the Canadian Olympic Committee in recognizing the contribution
of the Victoria sport community to building a strong Canadian Olympic
Team."
"As an
athlete it is very exciting to have the Canadian Olympic Committee Board
in Victoria, B.C.," said Brian Price, Coxswain for the Olympic Gold
medal-winning Men's Eight in Rowing. "They invest a tremendous amount
of time, effort and money into not only us as athletes but also the
facilities, equipment, coaching and medical support needed to achieve
Olympic success. There is no
doubt in my mind that the Canadian Olympic Committee continues to be a
committed partner with rowing in our pursuit of excellence in London this
summer."
"The
Victoria sport community has a reputation for athletic excellence and is
home to numerous high-achieving athletes, many of which have gone on to
reach the Olympic podium," said Eve Adams, Parliamentary Secretary to
the Minister for Veterans Affairs, speaking on behalf of The Honourable
Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "On behalf of the Harper
government, I salute your efforts, and look forward to cheering with you,
and all Canadians, as we watch our athletes compete in London this
summer."
"This
afternoon is truly a celebration of British Columbia's exceptional
contribution to high performance sport in Canada," said Ida Chong,
Provincial Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
"Today, as we come together as a community, it is clear we have not
only had a tremendous impact in the past and present of Canadian sport,
but that we can look forward to an incredible future as well."
The
reception was held in conjunction with the Canadian Olympic Committee's
Board Meeting which is taking place over the weekend on March 3rd and 4th.
Canadian
Olympic Committee Media Office:
Jane
Almeida
Manager,
Media Relations
Tel:
416-324-4120
Cell:
416-540-1788
Email:
jalmeida@olympic.ca
Dimitri
Soudas
Executive
Director,Communications
Tel:
416-324-4136
Cell:
289-388-6419
Email:
dsoudas@olympic.ca
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