Team campaign enters new phase

TORONTO– The Canadian Olympic Team’s Give Your Everything campaign entered an exciting new phase with a special event in St. George Subway Station, which was dominated by images of Canadian athletes giving their everything in preparation for Olympic competition in London this summer.

At that time, it was announced that in keeping with his responsibility to encourage excellence and bring Canadians together, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, has agreed to become the Patron of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

“As stewards of Canada’s Olympic Movement, we are honoured and humbled that His Excellency has formally singled out our organization as one whose values work in tandem with the purpose of his office,” said Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee from Montreal. “With our mandate energized by this honour, we will continue to support and promote outstanding achievement and the pursuit of excellence by our Canadian athletes, and a stronger, prouder, healthier Canada for all of us.”

Canadian Olympic Committee CEO and Secretary General Christopher Overholt was joined at St. George Station by The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport) and the Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, as well as by Olympic swimmer Tobias Oriwol, and Olympic Hopeful in Rhythmic Gymnastics, Rose Cossar. The event was emceed by Chief Marketing Officer and the impetus behind the campaign, Derek Kent.

St. George Station features nine athletes, displayed across a total of 172 banners, posters and wraps, including:
·        68 station posters
·        28 vertical posters
·        8 backlit posters
·        64 wall graphics, including 24 pillar wraps
·        4 stair graphics

“With just 39 days to go until the Opening Ceremony in London, Olympic fever is really starting to take over,” said Canadian Olympic Committee CEO and Secretary General Christopher Overholt. “Every element of this campaign is a direct and authentic reflection of the grueling path Canadian athletes travel on the road to Olympic competition.”

“Our athletes are an enormous source of pride for all Canadians,” said Minister of State Gosal. “That is why the Harper Government is proud to provide our continued support for Olympic sports and our Canadian Olympic athletes who will proudly represent our great nation on the world stage.”

“The McGuinty Government knows that Ontario’s athletes Give It Their Everything,” said Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.  “This campaign at St. George Station will remind thousands of visitors and commuters alike that Ontario’s athletes have what it takes to compete and win in the international arena – giving us all a sense of pride as a province and as a people.  Congratulations and best of luck to all our athletes in London!”

“It’s amazing to be here and see St. George Station wrapped from top to bottom in the Canadian Olympic Team’s Give Your Everything campaign,” said Tobias Oriwol, who is nominated to the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team in Swimming. “Something like this is a great morale booster when we’re heading in to London in just over a month from now.”

“It’s very cool to see so much space dedicated to Canadian athletes,” said Rose Cossar, Olympic Hopeful in the Sport of Rhythmic Gymnastics. “I was already excited to go to London with my team and now it just can’t come fast enough!”