WELLAND, ON, Aug. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), Dean Allison, Member of Parliament (Niagara West-Glanbrook), today announced the Government of Canada's contribution to Swimming Natation Canada to host the first ever Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships. The event is being held from August 16 to 19, 2012, in Welland, Ontario.
"The Government of Canada, through Sport Canada's Hosting Program, is proud to provide support to Swimming Natation Canada for the inaugural FINA World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships," said Minister of State Gosal. "Supporting events like this is part of our ongoing commitment to develop high-performance athletes in Canada. I wish all our young swimmers much success this week and in the future."
"Hosting international sport events like these championships offers an opportunity for our athletes to compete against some of the world's best, while bringing a welcome boost to the local economy," said Mr. Allison. "Our Government is also proud to support the renewal of the Welland Flatwater Centre as a venue for the 2015 Toronto Pan Am / Parapan Am Games. This is just one of many sport legacies of the Games that will benefit Canadian athletes and the local community for generations to come."
Swimming Natation Canada serves as the national governing body of competitive swimming. Its vision of "Swimming to Win: Winning for Life!" reflects the lifelong attributes of the sport. The Federation comprises 75,000 members and 400 swim clubs across the country. Canadians are global leaders in high-performance swimming and development for both able-bodied swimmers and swimmers with disabilities.
The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in Canada and supports participation and excellence from playground to podium. Funding of $100,000 has been provided for this event through Sport Canada's Hosting Program. In 2012-2013, Swimming Natation Canada received more than $4.8 million from Sport Canada's Sport Support Program, and almost $1.4 million is being provided through the Athlete Assistance Program to support 123 swimmers with living and training expenses.
SOURCE: Canadian Heritage
For more information (media only), please contact:
Jenny Van Alstyne
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Bal Gosal, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122
[email protected]
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[email protected]
(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)
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