Canadian Olympic Committee Marks Olympic Day, Eight Months Out of Vancouver 2010
Canadians Encouraged to ‘Get Behind Our Athletes’
Today the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) recognizes International Olympic Day, honouring the birth of the modern Olympic Movement, just eight months prior to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games arriving in Vancouver.
Excitement is brewing across the country as Canada prepares for its third role as Olympic host, welcoming the world’s top winter athletes to the spectacular venues of Vancouver, Whistler and Richmond. Canadian athletes, fresh from a winter season marked by tremendous successes and breakthrough moments, are busy training both in Canada and around the world this summer as they hone their skills and ride the momentum that will lead into the 2009-2010 winter season.
“Today we reflect on the reasons behind our support of the dedicated efforts of Canada’s Olympic and Olympic aspiring athletes who are training and competing throughout the world,” said Michael Chambers, president of the COC. “These young men and women are wonderful ambassadors for Canada. The Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement are a tremendous inspiration to the world, and create hopes and dreams for people through the global community.”
Each year on June 23, Olympic Day commemorates the 1894 founding date of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the modern Olympic Movement, as well as the values that underpin it to this day. On this day 115 years ago, France’s Baron Pierre de Coubertin inspired a group of sport-minded individuals from many countries to consider a series of Games to be held in the future, along ideals that guide their organization. The IOC grew from this initial gathering.
The Canadian Olympic Team, which will officially be named early February 2010, is seeking unprecedented success next year in aiming to finish atop the standings with the most total medals won. In support of this goal, the Own the Podium program has for five years been firmly committed to providing resources, technology, leadership, training clinics, counselling, support and “Top-Secret” snow sport projects to athletes. Its aim: to give them the best possible chance for success in 2010.
In the last push before the 2010 Games, all Canadians from coast to coast have an opportunity to get involved in the excitement and support athletes through Own the Podium. Interested Canadians are encouraged to donate $20.10 at, funds that go directly toward helping our winter athletes prepare for our approaching “Home Games.” Such donations will help sustain momentum for the athletes and coaches and hopefully push them over the top as they seek to Paint the Town Red in February.
