VANCOUVER – Thirty-five athletes who live and/or train in British Columbia are preparing to compete on home soil at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
The Canadian Olympic Committee officially announced the team of athletes recently, including a record number from across B.C. since the inception of Canadian Sport Centre Pacific and PacificSport. CSC Pacific is thrilled to congratulate all those who will be representing B.C. this month in their home province.
“Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in our province is an incredible gift that will inspire generations of British Columbians to achieve their dreams and help us create the healthiest place on earth,” said Giuseppe Liberatore, chair of CSC Pacific.
“CSC Pacific and the network of PacificSport Centres are grateful for the federal and provincial support high performance sport has been given in the lead up to the Games. We also applaud VANOC for working tirelessly to give our athletes an opportunity to compete at home and showcase our wonderful province to the world.”
“Contributing such a robust team of B.C. athletes, coaches and support staff to the 2010 Olympic Games on home soil is a major accomplishment for the province and our organization,” explains Wendy Pattenden, CEO of CSC Pacific.
“As key members of integrated support teams, nine of our technical experts will be working closely with a variety of sports as they strive for the podium in Vancouver and Whistler.”
The 2010 Olympic team is another demonstration of B.C.’s continued contribution to Canadian rosters at major games. With only 13.3 per cent of Canada’s population living in B.C. (Statistics Canada), athletes who live and/or train in the province represent 17 per cent (35/203) of the Olympic team.
The federal and provincial governments’ world-class support for sport is one of the main reasons numerous B.C. athletes are podium-bound in 2010.
The Own the Podium program has revolutionized the way Canadian athletes plan, prepare and perform and the province of B.C.’s $10 million pledge to Own the Podium and a $40 million commitment to legacy funding for B.C.’s innovative Integrated Performance System will ensure that B.C. athletes not only win medals in 2010, but for generations to come.
Such a strong belief in the sport system undoubtedly advances the province toward its goal of becoming the healthiest jurisdiction to host the Olympic and Paralympic
Winter Games.