Canadian Olympic Committee Reinforces Commitment to Sport

Adds depth and expertise to Sport Services team in lead-up to Guadalajara 2011 and London 2012

TORONTO, Sept. 10 /CNW/ - Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) Chief Executive Officer Jean R. Dupré today announced the appointment of Brian Rahill, Julie Healy and Caroline Sharp and the promotion of Carla Anderson, in its effort to further invest and redefine its commitment to the national sport community, the athletes and coaches.

As the COC continues to extend its focus beyond Olympic Preparation, in partnership with the high performance sport community, these individuals will now join the newly-created Sport and NSF Services department.

Under the direction of Caroline Assalian, Executive Managing Director of Sport, Rahill and Healy will join the Ottawa-based team as Managers, Team Services. Long-time COC veteran Anderson is promoted to Director, Team Operations, while Sharp, Media Specialist for Beijing 2008 and Vancouver 2010, will fill the newly created full-time role of Manager, Sport Communications.

"We are thrilled to welcome such accomplished individuals to the COC's sport team, as we continue to build and strengthen our commitment to sport in Canada," said Assalian. "Their Olympic experience will help National Sport Federations prepare and excel in the Olympic environment, focusing on unique Olympic preparation and provide necessary tools to maximize athlete performances."

Reporting to Derek Covington, Director of Olympic Preparation, Rahill and Healy will lend their expertise to help NSFs develop and implement customized podium performance preparation plans for Olympic and Olympic Winter Games.

Healy, a former Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) hockey player, arrives from Hockey Canada, where for the past eight years she has held the position of Director, Female Hockey. Under her leadership the team won two Olympic gold medals (Torino 2006 & Vancouver 2010) and two world titles.

Rahill, a former luge athlete, has spent 22 years in high performance sport, participated in four Olympic Winter Games as Team Leader, and has held a variety of vital roles with the Canadian Luge Association, Speed Skating Canada and the COC. Most recently, Rahill led Speed Skating's High Performance program that saw Canada earn 10 medals at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

Holding positions within the COC's marketing, education and Games teams over the past 23 years, Anderson will lead the COC's operational and Games-time efforts for the Canadian Olympic Team at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, as well as the upcoming Pan American Games in Guadalajara in 2011.

In her new position, Sharp will take a lead role in helping build a stronger sport community by working with NSFs in the development and implementation of their communications strategies, while focusing on their Olympic preparation plans. She will help enhance the profile of athletes, coaches, NSFs and the Canadian Olympic Movement and support the promotion and planning of domestic events.

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 (@CDN OlympicTeam).

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