Harper Government Announces Additional Support for Canadian Athletes

www.insurancerate.com StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), announces enhanced excellence funding for targeted summer sports. Minister of State Gosal is joined by athletes and representatives of Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

OTTAWA, March 13, 2012 – The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today announced that the Harper Government is providing additional enhanced excellence funding for a number of summer sports, in preparation for the upcoming 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 “Our Government is proud to support Canadian athletes and to enhance the Canadian sport system,” said Minister of State Gosal. “Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes are a source of inspiration and great pride. The accomplishments of the Canadian team may inspire young people across the country to participate in sport.”

The Government of Canada is providing an additional contribution to 11 summer national sport organizations targeted by Own the Podium. The sports receiving funding through Sport Canada’s Sport Support Program are athletics, boccia, canoe, cycling, diving, equestrian, goalball, soccer, swimming, wheelchair rugby, and wrestling.

“The Canadian Olympic Committee welcomes the Harper Government’s funding towards a number of targeted high-performance sports in Canada,” said Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. “In the final stretch towards London 2012, this financial boost is very timely. The funds announced today are part of ensuring that Canada’s outstanding athletes are ready to compete at their best in the Olympic environment.”

“The Canadian Paralympic Committee is looking forward with great anticipation to the London 2012 Paralympic Games, where Canada is expected to field a highly competitive team of about 150 athletes,” said Henry Storgaard, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “This enhanced funding will no doubt help our top medal-potential sports gain an extra edge as they strive for the podium and make Canada proud, which will in turn inspire more Canadians with a disability to be active in sports. We truly appreciate the Government of Canada’s investment in excellence.”

“The Government of Canada continues to lead the way in creating a new culture for winning, which all Canadian athletes now fully support,” said Anne Merklinger, Chief Executive Officer, Own the Podium. “This additional support is another critical step forward taken by the Canadian Government to help deliver the resources athletes need to climb the podium at the upcoming 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.”