Historical Partnership on first ever Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials

RBC named title sponsor of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials, Montreal 2012

MONTREAL, Feb. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - With less than a month to the London 2012 selection trials in Montreal, Swimming Canada is pleased to announce a historical partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) bringing the first ever Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials to life.

"We are extremely excited to announce this new partnership," said Pierre Lafontaine, CEO and National Coach for Swimming Canada.

"Being able to integrate the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic brands within our marquee event of the quadrennial will provide our organization with a greater platform to promote the values of our sport, athletes and coaches."

"As part of our new Vision 2020 strategic plan, Swimming Canada aims to be a world leading swimming nation. Having the COC and CPC partner with us for our key domestic competition is a step forward to achieving this mandate," added Lafontaine.

From March 27th to April 1st 2012, Canada's elite swimmers will race for a berth on Canada's London Olympic & Paralympic Teams.

"One of the primary goals for the COC is to cast the spotlight on our great athletes and our partners in the sport community," said Chris Overholt, COC Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General. "The COC is excited to partner with Swimming Canada on the 2012 Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials to help grow the profile of the sport of swimming in this country and to create this new model for how Canadian Olympic athletes are unveiled to their fans.

"High-profile events such as these Trials are important to showcasing Paralympic sport and Canada's elite-level swimmers with a disability," said Henry Storgaard, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "Canada has a strong track record in Paralympic swimming and we are confident this marquee event will be a success in identifying the top talent aiming towards London - both established veterans and new medal contenders - while also generating excitement about the London 2012 Paralympic Games."

RBC joins forces with Swimming Canada as title sponsor the trials

Valued Olympic and Paralympic Partner, RBC, has joined forces with Swimming Canada to present these trials. As the first corporate supporter of the Olympic movement in Canada, RBC stepped forward and played a significant role in helping to make this marquee event - the Olympic and Paralympic swimming trials - happen.

"We are very grateful in welcoming RBC as part of our team," added Lafontaine.  "RBC shares our values of building great heroes and great Canadians thru sport and we are excited to build a partnership that will support our athletes' quest for podium performances in London and beyond."

"Investing in our athletes is an investment in Canada, and we are proud to partner with Swimming Canada to make a positive difference in amateur sport," said Micheline Martin, RBC Regional President, Quebec. "Our support for Canada's Olympic and Paralympic teams is focused on building a strong foundation for our athletes to succeed on the world stage, and we look forward to the trials and seeing our athletes compete this summer at the 2012 London Games."

Breakthrough Broadcast Coverage for the 2012 Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Swimming Trials

Swimming Canada is excited to announce that the 2012 Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Swimming Trials will be aired every night on Sportsnet across the country.  In addition, Société Radio Canada (SRC) will air highlights of the event on its national network.  Full schedule will be published shortly on the respective network's websites.

About the Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Swimming Trials presented by RBC

The Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Swimming Trials, presented by RBC, is a six-day event packed with excitement and drama, taking place at the 1976 Olympic Pool in Montreal, QC.  Montreal was the host of previous Swimming trials, yet 2012 will go down in Canadian sports history as the first ever selection trials presented in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC).

Over 700 swimmers from every corner of the country will come together to select Canada's Olympic & Paralympic Swim teams for London 2012.  As the sole selection event for London, the racing will be fierce and the drama intense.

Media wishing to apply for accreditation are invited to fill out the online form at www.swimming.ca/media

Martin Richard, Director, Communications, Swimming Canada, Cell. 613-725-4339 Email. [email protected]

Jane Almeida, Media Relations Manager, COC, Tel: [phone], Cell: 416-540-1788 Email: [email protected]

Alison Korn, Media Relations Manager, CPC, Cell: 613-298-4927, Email:  [email protected]