Posted: September 27, 2006

Sport: Canadians challenged to support amateur athletes

Public rally first-step towards the gold A public rally today supporting Canadian amateur athletes began with the formation of a 75-foot human logo celebrating the Canada Games' 40th anniversary, and ended with a $100,000 cheque presentation from Subaru to the Canadian Athletes Now Fund. (CNW Group/Canada Winter Games/Subaru Canada Inc.) TORONTO, Sept. 26 /CNW/ - Canadians answered a call to support amateur athletes in Canada at a public rally in downtown Toronto today. Key athletic organizations, athletes including multi-bronze medal winner Deidra Dionne and FIS World Cup winner Liisa Savijarvi, Mayor Ernie Bourassa, City of Whitehorse and Executive Vice President, 2007 Canada Winter Games Host Society, Larry Smith, Chairman, Canada Games Council, VIP's, students and the general public gathered to demonstrate a commitment to Canadian amateur athletes. To kick off the rally, dance students from The Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts banded together to create a 75-foot, larger-than-life Canada Games human logo to draw attention to the upcoming Games and the need to get behind amateur athletes. "We were impressed with today's demonstration for Canada's amateur athletes," said Ernie Bourassa, Mayor of Whitehorse, Yukon (host city of the 2007 Canada Games) and Executive Vice President, 2007 Canada Winter Games. "As host city of the 40th anniversary of the Games, we are ready to welcome visitors and viewers from across Canada to experience Whitehorse and enjoy this premier national event, one that should make all Canadians proud." The Canada Games, Canada's largest multi-sport competition for next generation national and international level athletes will take place in February 2007 in Whitehorse, Yukon and marks the first time the event will be hosted North of 60. With more sports and competing athletes than the 2010 Olympics - the 2007 Canada Games will feature more than 3,600 athletes, coaches and officials, 22 sporting events and 4,500 volunteers over two weeks. Held every two years, 2007 represents the completion of a 40-year cycle where every province and territory will have been engaged in hosting the Games. Rally supporter Jane Roos, Founder and Executive Director of the Canadian Athletes Now Fund, a not-for-profit organization devoted to raising funds and creating awareness of Canada's amateur athletes says, "With rigorous training schedules that hinder opportunities to raise their profile or earn a livelihood, Canadian athletes have long struggled to achieve their dreams of participating in national and international competitions. In order to bring home the gold, we need to get behind our athletes now." Answering the call at the corporate level was Subaru Canada who, in addition to a major sponsorship of the 2007 Canada Games, presented a cheque for $100,000 to Canadian Athletes Now Fund. "Subaru Canada is passionate about Canada's amateur athletes and wants to help them achieve their goals, whether it be for the 2007 Canada Winter Games or helping them reach their Olympic dreams," said Katsuhiro Yokoyama, President, Subaru Canada. "We are proud to be part of the challenge to support amateur athletes and encourage others to follow. By tuning into the Games or investing in local athletes, only Canadians can help drive Canada to the gold!" About Subaru Canada Inc. Subaru Canada has a long history of supporting amateur sport in Canada. The company is a long time sponsor of the Subaru Ironman Canadian Triathlon, an event that is touted as one of the greatest athletic competitions in the world and also one of the most inspiring. Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of 95 authorized dealers across Canada. About the Canada Games Held once every two years, alternating between summer and winter, the Canada Games represent the highest level of national competition for the next generation of national team athletes and future champions. Every province and territory has been engaged in hosting the Games at least once since their inception in Quebec City during Canada's Centennial in 1967. The Games are proud of their contribution to Canada's sport development system in addition to their lasting legacy of sport facilities, community pride and national unity. Since the first Canada Games in 1967 in Quebec City, more than 70,000 young athletes have participated in the Canada Games. The Canada Games Movement encompasses Canada's largest multi sport event, the Canada Games and the between the Games programs and properties known as the Dreams and Champions initiatives. Current Dreams and Champions initiatives include the Canada Games "Catch the Spirit" Education resource and the Canada Games FAST Track Athlete Grant. The organization of the Canada Games is made possible through the tireless dedication of the local Host Society, the contribution and support of the federal, provincial/territorial and host municipal governments and the Canada Games Council. The 2007 Canada Winter Games will be held in Whitehorse, Yukon. About the Canadian Athletes Now Fund The Canadian Athletes Now Fund, is a not-for-profit organization devoted solely to raising funds and awareness for Canada's athletes. The Canadian Athletes Now Fund has been set up to help Canada's athletes ready for international summer and winter Games. Monies donated to the Canadian Athletes Now Fund are put directly into the hands of Canadian athletes to support their training, coaching, nutrition and living expenses in preparation for international competition. The mission is to underwrite the expenses of as many Canadian athletes as possible, as support is needed years before the medals can be obtained.

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