Posted: May 30, 2005

Multisport: Cascades Invests $225,000 for Quebec Athletes

Mr. Alain Lemaire, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cascades Inc. announced today that Cascades becomes a prestigious sponsor of the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence with an investment commitment of $225,000, spread over three years: $50,000 in 2005, $75,000 in 2006 and $100,000 in 2007, a year prior the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games. He also announced the creation of a Cascades Bursary Program dedicated to young promising athletes that demonstrate the potential to shine in the international scene.

According to Mr. Lemaire, President and CEO of Cascades "We believe that the Cascades bursaries will ultimately make a difference because they are given at a crucial moment in an athlete's career when he need only devote time to training and to his studies, without having to worry about financial matters. Thus, we are offering a helping-hand to a few promising athletes who share with us a common goal, that of gaining international recognition".

From the $50,000 invested this year, $40,000 is distributed to 12 athletes who received grants of $2,000, $3,000 or $4,000.  To ensure a financial support to outstanding future athletes, $10,000 will be invested in the Foundation’s capital.

Among the recipients are cyclist Kevin Lacombe, former defenceman of the Drummondville Voltigeurs hockey team, cross-country skiing and mountain bike’s new sensation Alex Harvey, son of Olympian Pierre Harvey; biathlon junior World Champion (7,5km sprint) Jean-Philippe Le Guellec; Alexandre Bilodeau freestyle ski (moguls) senior simple and dual National Champion and many more young promising athletes.

Mr. Claude Chagnon, President of the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence, who recently launched the Foundation’s 2005-2010 fundraising campaign, is very pleased to be able to count on Cascades’ support, a leader in its business sector. “The creation of the Cascades Bursary Program confirms their commitment to make a difference in the career of our young athletes as soon as their talent emerge on the national scene, before they become well known.  Cascades’ commitment is a great example of the private sector support needed for our young athletes.” says Mr. Chagnon.

To be eligible for a bursary, athletes must be identified hopeful, elite or excellence by their Provincial Sport Federation and engaged in a high performance training and competition program.  They must be actively involved in a study program.

Recipients of the 2005 Cascades Bursary Program