Olympians attend Blue Jays game with Toronto youth and business leaders

PwC invites five of Canada's top athletes to share Olympic insight with Toronto business executives and Boys and Girls Club

TORONTO, June 12, 2012 /CNW/ - With less than two months to go until the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games, some of Canada's top Olympic athletes spoke about their excitement and preparation at a PwC event today at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Defending Olympic Champion wrestler Carol Huynh and diving sensation Jennifer Abel, both heading to London this summer, were joined by Olympic and World Champion figure skaters Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue and paralympian Matt Hallat for an event with PwC staff and partners and kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Toronto before the Blue Jays game.

"We're proud to be supporting this talented group of Canadian athletes as they work to achieve international sporting success for our country," says Gino Scapillati, National Managing Partner, Markets, PwC. "The nine athletes we are sponsoring reflect PwC's values of excellence, teamwork and leadership."

Launched in June 2011, Team PwC is an initiative assisting a diverse group of Canadian athletes to accomplish their athletic goals through financial sponsorships. Team PwC consists of nine athletes ranging from existing high profile international athletes to those who are still rising through the ranks and honing their athletic skills.

"Being a part of Team PwC and having an entire firm support you and your athletic aspirations is a wonderful feeling," says Carol Huynh, wrestler and Olympic gold medallist. "PwC also does a great job of getting us involved in their events and discussing the parallels that exist between sport and business in areas like leadership, planning and confidence."

Supporting his fellow Team PwC members, 2012 Giro D'Italia champion Ryder Hesjedal, says "I'm very proud to be sponsored by PwC and enjoy being part of the Team PwC program with so many great athletes.  I wish Ryan, Jennifer and Carol the best of luck in London and hope that I get to join them in representing Canada at the Games."

Over the next four years, PwC has committed more than $1 million to Team PwC with the bulk of the funds going directly to the athletes, helping them to focus on training.

"We're committed to working alongside these inspiring athletes and providing them with opportunities to become positive role models in both sport and business," says Scapillati.  "This program is a win for PwC, our communities and of course the Team PwC athletes."

Members of Team PwC include:

• Cyclist and 2012 Giro D'Italia winner  - Ryder Hesjedal;
• Swimmer and Olympic bronze medallist - Ryan Cochrane;
• Wrestler and Olympic gold medallist - Carol Huynh;
• Short track speed skaters and Olympic gold medallists - Charles and Francois Hamelin;
• Figure skaters and Olympic gold medallists - Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue;
• Diver and World Championship silver medallist - Jennifer Abel; and
• Paralympic skier - Matt Hallat

For more information about Team PwC, please visit: http://www.pwc.com/ca/en/corporate-responsibility/team-pwc.jhtml.

Follow PwC on Twitter at @PwC_Canada_LLP and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pwccanada.

About PwC Canada

PwC Canada helps organizations and individuals create the value they're looking for. More than 5,700 partners and staff in offices across the country are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax, consulting and deals services. PwC Canada is a member of the PwC network of firms with close to 169,000 people in 158 countries. Find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com/ca.

© 2012 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership. All rights reserved.

PwC refers to the Canadian member firm, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

Abby Yung
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Kiran Chauhan
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