Posted: November 9, 2007

Olympics: Canadian Olympic Committee to Introduce Significant Initiative to Support Athletes at Olympic Games

Announcement to launch Beijing Media Summit in Ottawa on Nov. 19 TORONTO, Nov. 8 /CNW/ - On Monday, November 19, 2007, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) will announce a significant new initiative to support Canadian athletes at future Olympic Games. The announcement will kick off the COC's Media Summit for the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Brookstreet Hotel in Ottawa. The Summit will be held in conjunction with the second session of the COC's Olympic Excellence Series for 2008 Olympic hopefuls, which will take place November 17-21. The Olympic Excellence Series is designed to provide athletes, coaches and their support team with the practical skills and strategies necessary to help them achieve podium success in Beijing. On Monday, media will have the opportunity to meet and interview more than 80 Canadian medal hopefuls for the 2008 Canadian Olympic team in Beijing. Athletes scheduled to attend Monday's events include 2004 Olympic silver medallist diver Alexandre Despatie, reigning Canadian champion and former World champion hurdler Perdita Felicien, five-time Olympic trap shooter Susan Nattrass, 2004 Olympic gold medallist gymnast Kyle Shewfelt, and reigning Olympic and World champion kayaker Adam van Koeverden. A complete list of athletes scheduled to attend is attached. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, scheduled from August 8-24, will feature a total of 28 sport disciplines, 302 events, more than 200 participating countries, and an estimated 10,700 athletes. To date, Canada's athletes have secured positions for the 2008 Olympic Games in 30 different events through their performance in archery, diving, equestrian, field hockey, modern pentathlon, sailing, shooting, softball, and swimming. In addition, multiple athletes have achieved international qualifying standards in athletics and swimming events. To view a list of the Beijing Olympic Excellence Series attendees, November 19, 2007 please visit: files.newswire.ca 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 more information see the COC website: www.olympic.ca. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest