Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut Presents Best Practices at
First-Ever World Olympic Sport Convention

Joined by fellow presenter Minister Gary Lunn and newly appointed ANOC Executive Michael
Chambers, as Canada recognized as a model platform

TORONTO, Oct. 26 /CNW/ - Olympic leaders, sports ministers and government representatives from across the globe gathered in Acapulco, Mexico this past weekend at the first World Olympic Sport Convention. Among the approximately 120 sport dignitaries attending the meeting, organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) President Mario Vazquez Rana, were Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut, COC Immediate Past President Michael Chambers and Minister of State (Sport) Gary Lunn.

Speaking to the strength of its solid partnership between governments and the National Olympic Committee (NOC), Aubut and Minister Lunn were among a select few representatives invited to present to the roughly 1,000-person assembly on Saturday.

"We are humbled and elated to be recognized among the best Olympic models in the world," said Aubut. "We will continue to advance the relationship and further our mutual interests, shared values and common objectives, while working in a spirit of collaboration and transparency. At the end of the day, it is the athletes, sport, and the country as a whole that will benefit."

Recognized internationally following the Vancouver Games, Canada has established itself as a leader on the Olympic scene and is aiding to set new standards and provide best practices for others in the Olympic Movement. Among these world-renowned initiatives is the Own The Podium program, which many leading countries are hoping to learn from and emulate.

"We have a great story to tell," said Minister Lunn. "Our Government has been proud to build a close working relationship with our partners, including the Canadian Olympic Committee. This unprecedented collaboration surely contributed to the great success that we saw at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, where our athletes garnered a record-setting 14 gold medals."

This convention, held alongside the ANOC biennial general assembly, was designed as a communications platform to create more efficient relations between governments and NOC's. A range of Olympic issues where government and NOCs intersect were discussed, such as governance, training high-level athletes, environment and women in sport.

Based on the success of this inaugural session, NOC and government delegates agreed to move forward with a second convention scheduled for 2012.

ANOC appointment for Michael Chambers

A long-time proponent of the Olympic Movement, Chambers, who served as the COC's President from 2001 to April 2010, was appointed to the ANOC Executive Council until 2014 during the biennial ANOC general assembly.

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).

For further information:

Isabelle Hodge
Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
Tel.: [phone]
Email: [email protected]