Statement by the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport) on Chantal Petitclerc Being Named Canada's Chef de Mission for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

OTTAWA, Sept. 29, 2012 /CNW/ - On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Chantal Petitclerc, who was today named Canada's Chef de Mission for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. This exciting announcement was made by Commonwealth Games Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

One of Canada's most decorated athletes, Ms. Petitclerc is the only Canadian athlete to win gold medals at the Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games. She also holds world records in three different wheelchair racing events.

Ms. Petitclerc owns two 800-metre gold medals from the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England and the 2006 Games in Melbourne, Australia. In her career, she has won 21 Paralympic medals, including 14 gold, and she is the 2008 winner of the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canadian athlete of the year.

The Government of Canada recognizes that our ever-inspiring athletes are an enormous source of pride for all Canadians and serve as excellent role models for our young people.

We have maintained record-level funding for the Canadian sport system, including our support for Commonwealth Games Canada, summer national sport organizations and Own the Podium. We want to ensure our athletes reach the podium at every possible opportunity.

I encourage all Canadians to join me in congratulating Chantal Petitclerc as she begins the work of preparing our Canadian team for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

(media only), please contact:

Jenny Van Alstyne
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Bal Gosal, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122
[email protected]