Media Release
February 6, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more Information Contact: Joel Allard
Communications Coordinator
Canada Games Council
Tel: (613) 526 2320 Ext :2708
E-mail: jallard@canadagames.ca
Canada Games Alumni Well Represented at 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi
(February 6, 2014) Ottawa – Among the sports on the Canada Games program, approximately 41% of Canada’s contingent competing at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi are Canada Games alumni.
As in 2012 (44%), 2010 (44%) and 2008 (43%), statistics demonstrate how important the Canada Games are to the development of Canada’s next generation of national, international and Olympic champions. This number comes at a time when the success of Canadian athletes is linked to improved development programs as well as increased funding.
“It is always with tremendous pride that we watch our Canada Games alumni compete and excel at the Olympic Games,’’ says Tom Quinn, Chairman of the Canada Games Council. “Our alumni are our best ambassadors. Every two years, we keenly monitor the Olympic team rosters to see how many of our alumni will represent Canada. We wish all of Canada’s Olympic athletes well and look forward to tracking their results throughout the Games.’’
In total, 74 of the 179 athletes competing in Canada Games sports at Sochi have learned from our multi-sport property and have developed their skills through this country’s biggest multi-sport competition for young developing athletes; the Canada Games. Many among them are medal contenders, including renowned snowboarding sensation Mark McMorris, as well as freestyle skiers Marc-Antoine Gagnon and Chloe Dufour-Lapointe.
A focal point of every Olympic Winter Games is the Men’s Hockey, and the Canada Games are well represented on this year’s squad having Team Nova Scotia alumnus and Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby leading the way. Also on the team are veteran phenomenon Patrick Marleau and defensive dynamo Alex Pietrangelo. Shoring up the rest of the defence are Team Alberta alumnus Jay Bouwmeester and Team B.C alumnus Dan Hamhuis.
The Canada Games are well represented in almost every sport of the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. In certain sports, the impact of the Canada Games is remarkable. 10 of the 13 (77%) athletes competing in Cross-Country Ski are Canada Games alumni, including all seven of the women athletes. Among them, Chandra Crawford, gold medalist in the free sprint at the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin, leads the way as a medal hopeful.
In Long Track Speed Skating, Canada Games alumni represent 12 of the 17 (70%) athletes heading over to Sochi. Among them, Christine Nesbitt is a strong medal contender, having won gold in the 1000m at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver and silver in the team pursuit at the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin.
In Short Track Speed Skating, the numbers are as impressive. 7 of the 10 (70%) athletes contending in Sochi are Canada Games alumni. Among them is Marianne St-Gelais, a strong medal contender as she was one of only four Canadian athletes to win multiple medals at the 2010 Olympics Games in Vancouver. She earned silver medals in the 500m and the 3000m. Also on the team is Charles Hamelin, who proves to be a central figure in the Short Track Speed Skating World having won multiple gold medals at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. He earned gold medals in the 500m and 5000m relay respectively.
Finally, the Canada Games are extremely well represented in Women’s Hockey, where 17 of the 21 skaters (81%) have competed at the Canada Games. Leading the way is Canada Games alumna Hayley Wickenheiser, who will also perform the role of Canada’s Flag Bearer for the Opening Ceremony.
Throughout the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, the Canada Games Council will monitor the performances of our alumni and update their results on our social media platforms. Please follow our Twitter account @CanadaGames and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CanadaGames. Also, make sure to use our official hashtag of the Games, #CGalumni, to help spread the word about our alumni’s performances.
Click here to view this release and the full alumni list on the Canada Games website