All Canadians Can Own a Piece of Canadian Olympic History

Auction Launches for Original Olympic Artwork

MONTREAL, April 26 /CNW/ - The Canadian Olympic Committee and COLD-FX today announced the launch of a 10-day online auction for original, one-of-a-kind paintings created during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and commemorating the Canadian highlights.

The COLD-FX live mural experience is a 22-piece art collection that captures Canada's greatest moments at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Renowned sports artist David Arrigo brought to life all Canadian medal victories, as well as Opening and Closing Ceremonies, through sketch, airbrush and paintbrush (canvasses as large as 4 feet by 4 feet). Each piece is signed by the athlete whose performance is immortalized on the canvas.

Created just hours after each performance, these paintings came together as a mural that was displayed in Canada Olympic House where they were admired by Canadian athletes, supporters and their families.

"I've worked on several high-profile events in the past, such as NASCAR and the Hockey All-Star Game, but this was truly special to me," said Arrigo. "The Canadian athletes made me work really hard to keep up with all the medals they were winning, and it was my honour to bring these moments to life."

Last February the Canadian Olympic Team captured 14 gold medals, the most ever won by a single country at an Olympic Winter Games. All Canadians can now own a piece of this historic achievement by bidding online for each individual portrait by visiting www.olympic.ca. One hundred per cent of the sale price of these one-of-a-kind paintings will directly support Canadian high performance athletes through the Canadian Olympic Foundation.

"The COLD-FX live mural experience created tremendous excitement at Canada Olympic House every day as athletes and their families gathered to celebrate. I'm happy that each painting will find a new home, and that the Canadian athletes will benefit from the funds received through the auction," said Nathalie Lambert, Canada's 2010 Chef de Mission.

Reassembled one last time in Montreal in honour of the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala Dinner and Induction Ceremony (Friday, April 23rd), the paintings were displayed for all to admire and athletes to autograph. For more details on this auction and the related events, visit www.olympic.ca.

About the Canadian Olympic Committee

The Canadian Olympic Committee is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to sport excellence. It is responsible for all aspects of Canada's involvement in the Olympic Movement, including Canada's participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games and a wide variety of programs that promote the Olympic Movement in Canada through cultural and educational means. For news and information, visit the COC website at www.olympic.ca and find the team on both Facebook (Canadian Olympic Team) and Twitter (CDNOlympicTeam).

About the Canadian Olympic Foundation

The Canadian Olympic Foundation is a national charitable organization that provides Canadians with the first opportunity to support the success of high performance athletes across all Olympic and Paralympic sports. For further information, please visit www.olympicfoundation.ca.

ABOUT AFEXA LIFE SCIENCES INC.

Afexa Life Sciences Inc., founded in 1992, strives to deliver the most trusted health brand on the planet through pioneering evidence-based natural medicines that empower people to achieve their health potential. COLD-FX is proud to be the Official Cold and Flu Remedy of the Canadian Olympic Team, as it is officially indicated in Canada to help reduce the frequency, severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms by boosting the immune system. COLD-FX products have product licenses (NPN) and are supported by scientific evidence, including randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials.

About David Arrigo

David Arrigo is a renowned sports artist, known for the many masks he has painted for goalies in the NHL and for the mural of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky which he painted for the Hockey Hall of Fame to mark the Great One's induction in 1999. He has since then created the "Live Mural Experience" with sport organizations such as the Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, and NASCAR. He has recently returned from a visit to the Canadian troops in Afghanistan where he painted a 500-pound hockey goalie mask, which will be kept at Kandahar Airfield as a show of support for Canadian soldiers' service. To view Arrigo's work, please visit www.darrigoart.com.

For further information: Isabelle Hodge, Manager, Media Relations, Canadian Olympic Committee, Cel. [phone], Email: [email protected]; Catherine Mudie, Quebec Marketing Manager, Afexa Life Sciences Inc., [phone], Email: [email protected], www.afexa.com