COC photo: Kristina Velan

Athletes honoured in Montreal

MONTREAL – The Mayor of Montreal, Gérald Tremblay, and Manon Barbe, member of the Montréal Executive Committee responsible for sports, recreation and international sports events, paid tribute today to the Montreal athletes who took part in the 2012 London Olympic Games. The ceremony, which took place at Montreal City Hall, was attended by several athletes as well as members of the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee.

“From the moment Simon Whitfield led us into the Opening Ceremony, to the amazing closing ceremony – we were one Canadian Olympic Team,” said 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Roseline Filion. “I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the City of Montreal and to everyone who supported us as we prepared for London.”

“For decades now, Montreal has been a cradle of sport excellence for Canadian athletes,” said Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut. “Thank you to Mayor Tremblay and his team at the City of Montreal, for once again demonstrating how athletes live in Montreal’s heart and soul.”

“Some of the athletes who took part in the London Olympic or Paralympic Games were born in Montreal, live here or train in the city. On behalf of Montrealers, I would like to say how proud we are of their performances and the values they embody. They are role models of accomplishment for young people who dream of one day standing on the podium, and for all Montrealers,” said Mayor Tremblay.

In total, 79 athletes, 58 Olympians and 21 Paralympians, having links with Montreal, took part in the recent London Games, and 14 won medals.