Hudson's Bay and Dufour-Lapointe sisters launch new Olympic Red Mittens campaign

Canadian Olympic Foundation highlights Hudson's Bay continued investment in Canadian Sport through Iconic Red Mitten initiative

TORONTO, Sept. 04, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, Olympians and official Red Mitten ambassadors, the Dufour-Lapointe sisters, along with Hudson's Bay, launched the 6^th edition of its Red Mitten, the nation's most iconic symbol of Canadian Olympic pride and the source of millions of dollars in direct athlete funding through the Canadian Olympic Foundation (COF).  

"The 6^th edition of the Red Mitten will help raise money for our athletes and Canadian sport system during the crucial Olympic off-season as Canada prepares for Rio," said Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee and Chairman of the COF. "Maxime, Chloé and Justine are symbols of Canadian sporting success and will be fantastic ambassadors."

"Since 2009, Hudson's Bay has raised more than $26 million from the Red Mitten initiative, funnelling much-needed funds to our athletes and the Canadian sport system," said Liz Rodbell, President, Hudson's Bay. "We are proud to welcome the Dufour-Lapointe sisters as the official 6^th edition Red Mitten ambassadors."

Earlier this year, the Dufour-Lapointe sisters captured the heart of our nation when they became the first Canadian set of three siblings to compete in the same individual event at the same Games. Justine and Chloé went on to win gold and silver respectively in the ladies' freestyle skiing in Sochi. In addition to years of dedication and sacrifice, it takes the best coaching, training and competition, medical support and sports science to produce champions. Funds raised from the Hudson's Bay Red Mittens sales help provide our athletes with performance resources, propelling Olympians like the Dufour-Lapointe sisters on to the podium. 

"It is an honour for my sisters and I to be included in a campaign that gives so generously back to Canadian athletes," said Sochi 2014 gold medallist, Justine Dufour-Lapointe. "We encourage all of our fellow Canadians to get behind this cause and buy a pair of the 6^th edition Red Mittens to help Canadian athletes with the funding they need as we head toward Rio. With this support, we will be able to compete at our best."

The latest Red Mitten design builds on the success of the mittens created for Sochi by using colour blocking again as a design element. This version is mainly black, with red and white accents, allowing the embroidery to stand out. The mittens coordinate with the fall 2014 range of Hudson's Bay's Canadian Olympic apparel, and are fleece-lined with a knitted outer layer. A fun approach was taken with the design by embroidering the word "Go" on the inner right palm. Athletes and fans have the option to hold up the word "Go" next to a red maple leaf, or the words "Go Canada" in moments of patriotism.

The launch of the 6^th edition Red Mitten brings a variety of additions to help Canadians celebrate and support their Olympic athletes and hopefuls. The Red Mittens will again be available in an "infant" size, allowing the whole family to show their Canadian pride. In addition, a new collectors' pin in the shape of the 6^th edition Red Mitten will also be available in stores. Like the Red Mittens they emulate, each pin purchased will deliver $3.33 to the COF.   

About the Canadian Olympic Foundation:

The Canadian Olympic Foundation is a national charitable organization established in 2007 and governed by a Board of Directors.  The Foundation raises funds to support high performance athletes and sports with the greatest potential to reach the podium at world and Olympic events. The Foundation is supported by charitable gifts from individual donors and corporate partners and funds raised by programs such as the Red Mittens. 

About Hudson's Bay Company:

Hudson's Bay Company, founded in 1670, is North America's longest continually operated company. Today, HBC offers customers a range of retailing categories and shopping experiences primarily in the United States and Canada. Our leading banners – Hudson's Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH – offer a compelling assortment of apparel, accessories, shoes, beauty and home merchandise. Hudson's Bay is Canada's most prominent department store with 90 full-line locations, one outlet store and thebay.com. Lord & Taylor operates 49 full-line locations primarily in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S., four Lord & Taylor outlet locations and lordandtaylor.com. Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world's pre-eminent luxury specialty retailers, comprises 39 U.S. stores, five international licensed stores and saks.com. OFF 5TH offers value-oriented merchandise through 78 U.S. stores and saksoff5th.com. Home Outfitters is Canada's largest kitchen, bed and bath specialty superstore with 69 locations. Hudson's Bay Company trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "HBC".

Image with caption: "Olympians and official Red Mitten ambassadors, the Dufour-Lapointe sisters, along with Hudson’s Bay, launch the 6th edition of its Red Mitten, the nation’s most iconic symbol of Canadian Olympic pride and the source of millions of dollars in direct athlete funding through the Canadian Olympic Foundation. (CNW Group/Hudson's Bay)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140904_C3632_PHOTO_EN_5350.jpg

SOURCE: Hudson's Bay

Canadian Olympic Committee Media Office: Marc-André Plouffe, Executive Director, Communications, Tel: [phone] / Cell: 416-428-0572, Email: [email protected]; Jane Almeida, Manager, Media Relations, Tel: [phone] / Cell: 416-540-1788, Email: [email protected]; Luc Beaudin, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations, Cell: 514-206-6720, Email: [email protected]; Hudson's Bay Media Contact: Michelle Veilleux, Senior Manager, Public Relations, Tel : [phone], Email: [email protected]