Roots adds winning touch to TORONTO 2015 Games on and off the podium

Leading Canadian lifestyle brand creates custom-designed, locally made pieces as part of its support for major international sporting event

TORONTO, June 16, 2015 /CNW/ -  True to its longtime support of amateur sports and its rich Olympic heritage, Roots Canada is playing a prominent role at the upcoming TORONTO 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Games in the company's hometown of Toronto, as well as the Greater Golden Horseshoe are.

During the Games, more than 4,000 athletes will stand atop the podium to be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. Each of the medalists will receive their medals in a custom-designed Tribe leather pouch made by Roots at its state-of-the-art factory in Toronto. In total, 4,300 pouches will be given to athletes at both the Pan Am and Parapan Games. As a Proud Supporter and Official Licensee – the Official Leather Goods Maker for the Games – Roots is also creating a limited-time collection for the public, made at its Toronto factory.

The collection, which includes a Pan Am/Parapan Am Replica Pouch, was unveiled today at the Roots flagship store in Toronto by professional soccer player Dwayne De Rosario, Olympic multi-medalist and TORONTO 2015 Pan Am gold-medal hopeful Adam van Koeverden, and Parapan Am hopeful Tess Routliffe.

"Planning, organizing and staging the Games is a true team effort and we're grateful that Roots has joined our partner family as a Proud Supporter. Our partners are generously providing their products, services, expertise and enthusiasm to make these the best Pan Am/Parapan Am Games ever," says Saäd Rafi, Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015). "It's truly inspiring to see so many people getting behind the Games and helping our region get ready to welcome the Americas for a summer to remember in 2015."

Roots is also supporting the Games in other ways. The company is preparing a special initiative for its extensive retail network both in Toronto and in the surrounding region near Games venues. In addition to featuring Roots TORONTO 2015 merchandise, these "Concierge Stores" will be handing out a specially prepared Roots city guide while multi-lingual staff will be on hand to share with visitors practical information and recommendations about Toronto in various languages.

In celebration of the spirit and core values of the Games, Roots Co-Founders Michael Budman and Don Green will be taking part in the Pan Am Games Torch Relay. On July 9, both Don and Michael will carry the torch as it makes its way through the streets of Toronto on the eve of the Opening Ceremonies.

"We're extremely excited about participating in the Pan Am Games, especially as they're taking place in the city where Roots began and has always been based," says Michael Budman. "Roots has long been a supporter of amateur sports and in particular of the athletes that are the source of such great inspiration. We love events like TORONTO 2015 that bring people together from different cultures and nationalities around a common pursuit. Even better that a sporting event of the magnitude of these Games is taking place in Toronto and will shine a much-deserved spotlight on our great city. We're proud that Roots products made at our own factory in Toronto will be so present at this incredible international event."

The Roots TORONTO 2015 leather goods collection consists of 12 pieces, and will be available as of early July at select Roots stores across the Greater Toronto Area, at the TORONTO 2015 Superstore at Nathan Phillips Square and online at www.roots.com.

SOURCE Roots Canada Ltd.

Robert Sarner, Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Roots Canada, Tel: [phone], ext. 4280, [email protected]