Montreal Olympic and Paralympic athletes to be honoured at city hall

MONTREAL – The Mayor of Montreal, Gérald Tremblay, and Manon Barbe, member of the Montreal Executive Committee responsible for sports, recreation and international sports events, will pay tribute to the Montreal athletes who took part in the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. The private ceremony, to be held in the hall of honour of city hall on Monday, October 29, 2012, will be attended by the athletes and members of the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee.

“Some of the Canadian athletes who took part in the London Games were born in Montréal, live here or train in the city. These athletes represented us with dignity and next Monday’s celebration will be an opportunity to congratulate them and highlight their talent. They are models of dedication and perseverance for all of us,” said Mayor Tremblay.

“For 17 days this summer, our Canadian Olympic heroes inspired a nation through their dedication to excellence in their quest for Olympic victory,” said Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut. “We wish to thank Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay and the entire City of Montreal for this wonderful welcome home and their unwavering support for our Olympians. It is a fitting tribute that our magnificent athletes be honoured in Canada’s first Olympic city.”

“This ceremony will indeed be an honour for Paralympic athletes from Montreal,” said David Legg, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “The Montreal area has produced many accomplished athletes, including none other than Team Canada’s flag bearer for the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, swimmer Benoît Huot. A sincere thank you to the City of Montreal and the Mayor of Montreal, Gérald Tremblay, for hosting us. We are very much looking forward to this celebration of sport!”

In total, 79 athletes, 58 olympians and 21 paralympians, having links with Montreal, took part in the recent London Games.