ST. ALBERT, AB, March 1, 2012 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), Brent Rathgeber, Member of Parliament (Edmonton-St. Albert), today announced the Government of Canada's contribution to Special Olympics Canada in support of the 2012 Special Olympics National Winter Games. The Games are being held from February 28 to March 3 in St. Albert, Alberta.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to provide support to Special Olympics Canada for the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games," said Minister of State Gosal. "We are proud of our athletes who compete with such spirit and determination, making this event a great inspiration for us all. I wish all of our athletes the best of luck."
"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I welcome athletes, coaches and mission staff, and volunteers from every part of Canada to St. Albert," said Mr. Rathgeber. "The 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games are a celebration of our athletes whose hard work and dedication has led them to achieve their goal of representing their country. It is also a celebration for family, visitors, residents, and all sport fans who have come to enjoy the Games in the beautiful setting of St. Albert."
"Special Olympics Canada sincerely thanks the Government of Canada for its ongoing commitment to Canadians with an intellectual disability who participate in Special Olympics' year-round programs," said Beverley Hammond, Chair of the National Board of Directors for Special Olympics Canada. "Thank you for championing the Special Olympics movement and for believing that sport can enrich lives, change attitudes, and strengthen communities."
For more than 40 years, Special Olympics Canada has enriched the lives of individuals with an intellectual disability through sport. Today, more than 43,700 athletes of all ages and abilities benefit from its year-round programs running out of hundreds of clubs across the country. These athletes are supported by more than 16,000 volunteers, including 13,000 trained coaches, making Special Olympics programs and services important contributors to healthier Canadian communities.
The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in Canada and supports participation and excellence from the playground to the podium. A contribution of approximately $3 million was provided to Special Olympics Canada through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program in 2011-2012. Approximately $800,000 is specifically for the 2012 Special Olympic Winter Games.
(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)
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Jenny Van Alstyne
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Bal Gosal, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122
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Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
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