Bell Aliant supports six athlete contenders as they make their bid for the
2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, BC

Value Package Customers can win trips to see the 2010 Winter Games live!

ST. JOHN'S , Oct. 22 /CNW/ - Bell Aliant continues to help make Olympic and Paralympic dreams comes true with the announcement today of its six sponsored athlete contenders as they make their bid to join the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Teams for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver , BC. Bell Aliant has sponsored one athlete or team from each of the four Atlantic provinces and one from Quebec and Ontario representing all the provinces in Canada where it currently operates.

Bell Aliant is delighted to announce the names of the six Bell Aliant Contenders who will be making their bid to join the Canadian Olympic team for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games:

    
    Newfoundland and Labrador:
    Team Gushue - Brad Gushue, Mark Nichols, Ryan Fry, and Jamie Korab-
    Curling

    Nova Scotia:
    John Mattatall - Pairs Figure Skating

    New Brunswick:
    Patrick Côté - Biathlon

    Prince Edward Island:
    Mark Arendz - Para-Nordic Skiing (Cross-Country & Biathlon)

    Ontario:
    Amber Peterson - Freestyle Skiing

    Quebec:
    Francois-Louis Tremblay - Speed Skating
    

"We are very proud of the six Bell Aliant contenders, especially of our very own Bell Aliant employee and Gold medalist from Torino , Italy , Jamie Korab as part of the Gushue Curling Team," says Joe Mosher , Vice President Residential Markets , Bell Aliant. "All contenders are incredible athletes and we wish them much success as they pursue their Olympic dreams in Vancouver ."

The six chosen Bell Aliant athlete contenders will continue to compete in their sports in the coming months to win their Olympic qualifying competitions and represent Canada at the Winter Games in Vancouver in February of next year.

Bell Aliant also announced a promotion today where Value Package customers will have a chance to win one of two trips for two to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games to cheer on Atlantic Canadians live. A separate contest for Bell Aliant TV customers was launched in September. Full contest details are available on Bell Aliant's website www.bellaliant.net.

An inside look at the six athletes and ongoing coverage of many events leading up to the Winter Games can also be found on www.bellaliant.net.

"These world-class athletes are talented ambassadors, representing six provinces in Canada and we are very pleased to be able to share in their success." says Mr. Mosher . "Our support of Canada's Olympic Teams and Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games fits well with our company's continued commitment to support the athletes in the regions where we serve our customers."

Bell Aliant is an Official Supporter of the Canadian Olympic Team from 2006-2012 and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The "Official Supporter" designation assigned to Bell Aliant by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) recognizes the company's corporate affiliation with Bell Canada , a Premier National Partner for the 2010 Games.

Biographies for all Bell Aliant contenders are available on www.bellaliant.ca.

Media representatives are encouraged to sign up for Bell Aliant News Alerts at www.bellaliant.ca.

About Bell Aliant

Bell Aliant (TSX: BA.UN) is one of North America's largest regional communications providers and an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Through its operating entities it serves customers in six Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and value-added business solutions. Through its xwave offices, Bell Aliant also provides IT professional services. Bell Aliant's employees are committed to deliver the highest quality of customer service, choice and convenience.

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For further information: Media Relations, Anna Peddle, Bell Aliant Public Affairs, [phone], [email protected]