Hudson's Bay and members of the Canadian Women's Hockey Team launch 7th edition of Olympic Red Mittens

Canadian Olympic Foundation highlights Hudson's Bay continued investment in Canadian Sport through Iconic Red Mitten initiative, with over $28 M raised to date

TORONTO, Sept. 11, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, Olympians and official Red Mitten ambassadors, Shannon Szabados, Marie-Philip Poulin and Caroline Ouellette, along with Hudson's Bay, launched the 7^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).  

"Hudson's Bay is proud to have raised more than $28 million for the Canadian Olympic Foundation, funnelling much-needed funds to our athletes and the Canadian sport system," said Liz Rodbell, President, Hudson's Bay. "We are thrilled to welcome Shannon Szabados, Marie-Philip Poulin and Caroline Ouellette as the official 7^th edition Red Mitten ambassadors."

"The Canadian Olympic Foundation and Committee are proud to partner with Hudson's Bay again for the 7^th edition of the Red Mittens," said Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Canadian Olympic Foundation. "Shannon, Marie-Philip and Caroline are beacons of Olympic success and it is the funds from these mittens that will help our next generation of Olympians achieve their own Olympic dreams."

The three ambassadors have all been to multiple Olympic Games and between them, have eight gold medals. 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 Shannon Szabados, Marie-Philip Poulin and Caroline Ouellette on to the podium. 

"It is an honour to join forces with Hudson's Bay alongside Caroline and Shannon for the 7^th edition of the Red Mittens," said Marie-Philip Poulin, two-time Olympian, two-time Olympic gold medallist. "The funds raised from the Red Mittens go directly to Canada's athletes and are crucial in ensuring that they have the resources they need to be the best they can be."

The latest Red Mitten design builds on the colourblock theme that has been a trademark feature from season to season. Red, white, black and grey are the dominant colours, with the tweed yarn complementing the colour palette. Other features of the Red Mittens include the traditional maple leaf, an embroidered Canada font on the palm and an athletic inspired bold white border to finish off the cuff. The Red Mittens will again be available in an "infant" size, allowing the whole family to show their Canadian pride. The latest edition of the Red Mittens is a coveted collectable that makes a colourful and useful gift, supporting a great cause. The mittens will retail for $12 and 30 per cent of the sales will go towards the Canadian Olympic Foundation.

About the Canadian Olympic Foundation:

Established in 2007, the Canadian Olympic Foundation gives to priority partners that drive high-performance athletic achievement for Canada's Olympic podium potentials and for our next generation of Olympic athletes. The Foundation also funds athlete, coaching, and sport awards and scholarships.

About Hudson's Bay

Hudson's Bay Company, incorporated in 1670, is North America's oldest company. Hudson's Bay has grown to become Canada's most prominent department store, today operating 90 full-line locations, two outlet stores and thebay.com. It has established a reputation for quality, service, and style by offering well-edited assortments of exclusive and popular fashion, beauty, home and accessory designers and brands. It is part of the Hudson's Bay Company brand portfolio.

SOURCE Hudson's Bay

Image with caption: "Hudson’s Bay launches the 7th edition of its Red Mitten. The Hudson’s Bay mittens initiative has raised more than $28 million for the Canadian Olympic Foundation. (CNW Group/Hudson's Bay)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150911_C4808_PHOTO_EN_494841.jpg

Image with caption: "Olympians Shannon Szabados, Marie-Philip Poulin and Caroline Ouellette are the official Hudson’s Bay Red Mitten ambassadors. The mittens have become 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/20150911_C4808_PHOTO_EN_494843.jpg

Canadian Olympic Committee Media Office: Devin Heroux, Manager, Media Relations, Tel: [phone]/ Cell: 416-788-6527, Email: [email protected]; Cherry Ye, Coordinator, Communications, Tel: [phone] / Cell: 416-427-4341, Email: [email protected]; Carl Vallée, Executive Director, Communications, Tel: [phone] / Cell: 514-755-1987, Email: [email protected]; Hudson's Bay Media Contact: Michelle Veilleux, Senior Manager, Public Relations, Tel : [phone], Email: [email protected]; Katie Mills, Specialist, Public Relations, Tel : [phone], Email: katie.mills@hbc,com