Legion Unveils New Medals for National Youth Track and Field Championships

SAINTE-THÉRÈSE, QC and BLAINVILLE, QC, Aug. 3, 2016 /CNW/ - The Sports Committee Chairman of The Royal Canadian Legion, Angus Stanfield, unveiled the new gold, silver and bronze medals for the 2016 Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships being held in Sainte-Thérèse, QC from August 5^th to the 7^th, 2016.

"This year marks a particularly important milestone of military history" says Stanfield. "This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel.  On 1 Jul 2016, 22 officers and 758 other ranks of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment were directly involved in a frontal attack near the village of Beaumont Hamel, France.  Of these, all the officers and 658 other ranks became casualties.  Less than 68 soldiers were available for roll call the next day," adds Stanfield.

"This new design, features as an engraving of a Caribou from the Monument at Beaumont-Hamel.  The design symbolizes the Legion's commitment to never forget and honour the sacrifices of generations past for the freedoms enjoyed today at home and abroad," says Stanfield.

The medals, gold, silver and bronze, will be awarded to those athletes that have achieved a corresponding level of success during these championships.

About the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships
This year marks the 40^th anniversary of the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships.  This year, the program has expanded to include international athletes from the United States and Jamaica.

It is also worth noting that this year's Canadian Track and Field Team has 32 former Legion National Youth Track and Field athletes competing in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

SOURCE The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command

Image with caption: "Legion Unveils New Medals for National Youth Track and Field Championships (CNW Group/The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160803_C2188_PHOTO_EN_740830.jpg

please contact Bruce Poulin at Dominion Command, The Royal Canadian Legion at [phone] ext. 241 or by cell at [phone] or [email protected].