Canadian Olympic Committee and Bell renew partnership

Bell supports Canada's athletes through Bell Athletes Connect and mental health initiatives; launches the Bell Olympic Club

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - At Canada Olympic House in Rio de Janeiro, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Bell announced their renewed partnership through to 2024. Bell is a longtime supporter of Canada's Olympic athletes and became a Premier National Partner of the COC in 1999.

The announcement was made by COC Chief Executive Officer, Chris Overholt, President and CEO of Bell Canada and BCE, George Cope, and six-time Olympic medallist and Bell Let's Talk national spokesperson, Clara Hughes.

Bell Athletes Connect
As a key pillar of the renewed partnership, Bell has collaborated with the COC to re-launch an enhanced Bell Athletes Connect program. The only program of its kind in North America, Bell Athletes Connect equips more than 1,200 Canadian athletes with a smartphone from Samsung Canada, exclusive provider of wireless phones for the program, and Bell mobile services that help them keep in touch with family, friends, coaches and fellow athletes.

Bell Olympic Club
Launched in advance of the Rio 2016 Games, the new Bell Olympic Club is an all access community for fans to connect with athletes, enter contests, earn rewards and follow their favourite athletes with exclusive content available on the COC website.

COC supports Canadian mental health
The renewed partnership agreement also reinforces the Canadian Olympic Committee's commitment to mental health. Since the London 2012 Olympic Games, Bell and the COC have been working together to engage athletes and students in schools around Canada in the conversation about mental health through the Canadian Olympic School Program mental fitness module. The COC also supports the annual Bell Let's Talk Day on their digital channels with content for Olympic Club members and at Olympic.ca, showcasing athletes participating in Bell Let's Talk Day and encouraging all Olympians and fans to get involved in the conversation about mental health.  

QUOTES:

"Bell's renewed partnership showcases their position as a leader and vital supporter of the Canadian sport community and Olympic Movement in this country. We are proud to partner with Bell through 2024 and thank them for their continued focus on Canada's athletes."

Chris Overholt, CEO, Canadian Olympic Committee

"Canada's Olympic athletes work incredibly hard to represent our country on the international stage and Bell is very proud to support them through our long-standing partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee, Bell Athletes Connect and our ongoing collaboration to promote mental health."

George Cope, President and CEO, Bell Canada and BCE

"Bell continues to be an outstanding supporter of Canada's athletes. I am proud to be the Bell Let's Talk ambassador and applaud the company for its ongoing generosity and its renewed partnership with the COC. This long term partnership, including a unique focus on mental health, will have a significant, positive impact on the lives of many Canadian athletes."

Clara Hughes, six-time Olympian, six-time Olympic medallist, cycling – road; speed skating - longtrack

"Bell has supported Canadian athletes for almost two decades with the Bell Athletes Connect program. I remember getting my first cell phone through the program and instantly feeling like I was more closely connected to everyone involved with Team Canada."

Adam van Koeverden, four-time Olympian, four-time Olympic medallist, Canoe-Kayak - Sprint

About the Canadian Olympic Committee: 
The Canadian Olympic Committee leads the achievement of the Canadian Olympic Team's podium success and advances Olympic values in Canada. Independent and predominantly privately funded, the Canadian Olympic Committee delivers resources that Canada's elite athletes need to perform at their best and give their everything every day. The backbone of Canada's Olympic movement, the Canadian Olympic Committee works with National Sport Federations to prepare the Team for the Olympic, Youth Olympic and Pan American Games. By sharing our athletes' stories, we inspire all Canadians through the power of sport: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

About Bell:
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business customers with TV, Internet, wireless, home phone, small business and enterprise communications services. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, digital and out of home media. Bell is wholly owned by Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For further information, please visit Bell.ca.

The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes mental health in Canada with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns, like Bell Let's Talk Day, and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research, and workplace initiatives. For further information, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

SOURCE Canadian Olympic Committee

Image with caption: "Tricia Smith, Clara Hughes, George Cope, and Chris Overholt announce Bell’s extended partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee through 2024. (Photo credit: Canadian Olympic Committee) (CNW Group/Canadian Olympic Committee)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160816_C2799_PHOTO_EN_753389.jpg

Canadian Olympic Committee: Cherry Ye, Media Relations, Canada Olympic House, Rio Cell: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Ricky Landry, Media Relations, Main Press Centre, Rio Cell: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Bell Canada: Jacqueline Michelis, Bell Media Relations, 613 785-1427, [email protected]