Harper Government Supports Athletics Canada

OTTAWA, July 13, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today announced Harper Government's contribution to Athletics Canada. The announcement was made during a visit to the 4×100 Olympic Relay Camp at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility in Ottawa.

"It is my great pleasure to announce that the Harper Government will provide over $4.7 million from the Sport Support Program to Athletics Canada for the 2012-2013 fiscal year," said Minister of State Gosal. "Our Government is committed to supporting Canadian athletes. Today's contribution will not only assist in sending our athletes to London for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games, but will also go toward training and preparations for future competition."

"Athletics Canada is grateful for the Government of Canada's continued support," said Rob Guy, Athletics Canada Chief Executive Officer. "The contribution allows the organization to continue developing the sport of athletics from playground to podium. The funding also supports the development of Athletics Canada national team programs, allowing us to compete with the best in the world."

"One of our goals is to help ensure that our athletes have the optimum conditions in which to succeed," said Caroline Assalian, Chief Sport Officer, Canadian Olympic Committee. "Our athletes train tirelessly—day in and day out, year in and year out. The Canadian Olympic Committee welcomes the Harper Government's additional funding for Athletics Canada. The funds announced today are part of ensuring that Canada's outstanding athletes are ready to compete at their best."

"This additional funding will help ensure that the strong tradition of Canadian Paralympic excellence in Athletics continues in London and beyond," said Henry Storgaard, the Canadian Paralympic Committee's Chief Executive Officer. "On behalf of the Canadian Paralympic Team, we'd like to thank the Harper Government for this investment in Athletics Canada, supporting our outstanding track and field athletes with a disability. Through both high performance sport and grassroots involvement, Canada is on the path to becoming a world leading Paralympic nation."

Athletics Canada is the governing body and franchise holder for track and field in Canada and is a member of the International Association of Athletics Federations.

Sport Canada's Sport Support Program provides Canadian sport organizations with funding that strengthens our national sport system and benefits our athletes and coaches. It helps increase the capacity of the Canadian sport system to achieve world-class results at the highest international competitions.

The Harper Government is the single largest contributor to sport in Canada and supports participation and excellence from playground to podium.

SOURCE Canadian Heritage