Team Canada stays warm in Rio with 8th edition of iconic Olympic Red Mittens

TORONTO, Aug. 21, 2016 /CNW/ - Hudson's Bay Company's 8^th edition of its Red Mittens made their striking debut at tonight's Closing Ceremonies in Rio, with Team Canada showing off the new pair. The Red Mitten has 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 (COF). 

Canada won a total of 22 Olympic medals this summer Games, highlighting the continued success of this fundraising program in helping both summer and winter athletes achieve their goals.  Money raised from the Red Mittens helps provide Canadian Olympians and next generation athletes with access to elite coaching, equipment, sport medicine, nutrition and other high-performance resources that make up a world-class daily training environment.

"It was a thrill to see Team Canada wearing the nation's colours from head to toe to hands at the Closing Ceremonies, celebrating a successful Games," said Liz Rodbell, President, Hudson's Bay. "Now in their 8^th year, the mittens have raised more than $29 million to date. Making their latest debut on the world stage solidifies the Red Mittens iconic status as a symbol of Canadian pride and demonstrates our warm culture with the world."

"Thank you to Hudson's Bay for continuing to support Canadian athletes with their 8^th edition of the Red Mittens," said Chris Overholt, CEO, Canadian Olympic Committee. "The Red Mittens generate millions of dollars for Canada's athletes, which helps pave the road to their success on the field of play. I encourage Canadians to go out and buy a pair in support of their sporting heroes."

In celebration of Canada's 150^th birthday, the 2017 Red Mitten design honours our beautiful nation with a nod to the flag. Colour blocked in red and white, the iconic maple leaf is embroidered on the palm and back of the mitten, to make a bold, patriotic statement. The Red Mittens are available in "infant" to "adult" size, allowing the whole family to showcase their Canadian pride. The Red Mittens continue to be a coveted collectable that makes a colourful and useful gift, while supporting a great cause. The mittens will retail for $15 and a portion of the sale will go towards the Canadian Olympic Foundation.

ABOUT HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY

Hudson's Bay Company is one of the fastest-growing department store retailers in the world, based on its successful formula of driving the performance of high quality stores and their all-channel offerings, unlocking the value of real estate holdings and growing through acquisitions. Founded in 1670, HBC is the oldest company in North America. HBC's portfolio today includes ten banners, in formats ranging from luxury to better department stores to off price fashion shopping destinations, with more than 460 stores and 66,000 employees around the world.

In North America, HBC's leading banners include Hudson's Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Gilt, and Saks OFF 5TH, along with Find @ Lord & Taylor and Home Outfitters. In Europe, its banners include GALERIA Kaufhof, the largest department store group in Germany, Belgium's only department store group Galeria INNO, as well as Sportarena.

HBC has significant investments in real estate joint ventures.  It has partnered with Simon Property Group Inc. in the HBS Global Properties Joint Venture, which owns properties in the United States and Germany.  In Canada, it has partnered with RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust in the RioCan-HBC Joint Venture.

ABOUT HUDSON'S BAY

Incorporated in 1670, Hudson's Bay Company is North America's oldest company. Hudson's Bay stores have 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.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

The Canadian Olympic Committee leads the achievement of the Canadian Olympic Team's podium success and advances Olympic values in Canada. Independent and predominantly privately funded, the Canadian Olympic Committee delivers resources that Canada's elite athletes need to perform at their best and give their everything every day. The backbone of Canada's Olympic movement, the Canadian Olympic Committee works with National Sport Federations to prepare the Team for the Olympic, Youth Olympic and Pan American Games. By sharing our athletes' stories, we inspire all Canadians through the power of sport: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

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.

SOURCE Hudson's Bay

Image with caption: "Team Canada Stays Warm in Rio with 8th Edition of Iconic Olympic Red Mittens (CNW Group/Hudson's Bay)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160821_C8717_PHOTO_EN_756611.jpg

HUDSON'S BAY CONTACT: Michelle Veilleux, Director, Public Relations, Tel : [phone], [email protected]; Katie Mills, Specialist, Public Relations, Tel :[phone], [email protected]; CANADIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE MEDIA OFFICE: Cherry Ye, Program Manager, Media Relations, Tel: [phone] / Cell: 416-427-4341, [email protected]; Ricky Landry, Manager, Communications, Tel: [phone] / Cell: 514 229-4833, [email protected]