The Canadian Olympic Committee hosts its Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Olympians and Olympic hopefuls help raise money for Own The Podium

WHISTLER, BC, Sept. 25 /CNW/ - The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) held its 2009 Whistler Golf Tournament presented by Bell at the prestigious Whistler Golf Club and Westin Resort & Spa today. The tournament is the COC's signature fundraising event and included appearances and participation by Canadian Olympians and 2010 hopefuls including Georgina Wheatcroft , curling Olympic bronze medallist at the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games, alpine skiers Manuel Osborne-Paradis and Mike Janyk, archer Crispin Duenas and snowboarders Tom Velisek and Rob Fagan .

"This is an exciting time for the Olympic Movement in Canada , five months removed from the 2010 Games here in Whistler and Vancouver ," said Chris Rudge , CEO and Secretary General of the COC. "This is a great opportunity for our sponsors, partners and friends to join us in celebrating and supporting our athletes."

Included in the day's festivities were 18 holes of golf, Olympic sport demonstrations, a silent and live auction and dinner at the Westin Resort & Spa. One of the most captivating parts of the tournament was the 14th hole, where participants lined up to compete against Olympic archer Crispin Duenas. The golfers were armed with a golf club while Duenas used his bow and arrow to get closest to the hole.

In addition to a fun day in spectacular vistas, the COC's golf tournaments have a strong history of providing financial support to the Canadian Olympic sport system, generating over $1.7 million in the past seven years. Proceeds from the 2009 edition will benefit the Own The Podium initiative, a national sport technical initiative designed to help Canada's athletes succeed on the world stage. Additionally, 25 per cent of the proceeds will be re-invested in high performance sport in the province of British Columbia. In 2008, the tournament raised over $130,000 in support of Canadian athletes.

About the Canadian Olympic Committee

The Canadian Olympic Committee is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to sport excellence. It is responsible for all aspects of Canada's involvement in the Olympic Movement, including Canada's participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games and a wide variety of programs that promote the Olympic Movement in Canada through cultural and educational means. For news and information, visit the COC website at www.olympic.ca and find the team on both Facebook (Canadian Olympic Team) and Twitter (CDNOlympicTeam).

For further information: Isabelle Hodge, Manager, Media Relations, Canadian Olympic Committee, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]