Canada’s ‘greatest’ Olympic party planned
TORONTO – The 2012 Celebration of Excellence will hit Ottawa and Toronto September 19-21, honouring Canadian Olympic legends and welcoming home our 2012 Canadian Olympic heroes.
“This will be the greatest celebration of Canadian Olympians our country has ever seen,” said Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut. “From Ottawa to Toronto, our 2012 Olympic heroes will be welcomed home in style, before we shine the spotlight on some of the greatest Olympians in Canadian history. This is a week Toronto will never forget.”
Wednesday, September 19: Canadian Olympic Heroes Tour, Ottawa
Canadian Olympians will be visiting Ottawa-area schools and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, as well as participating in a military fitness test demonstration with members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Following these activities, members of the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team are welcomed into the House of Commons by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, as well as lunching will MPs from all parties in the Parliamentary restaurant.
Thursday, September 20: Canadian Olympic Heroes Tour, Toronto
Canada’s Olympic Heroes will visit Toronto-area schools and hospitals and attend a reception hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Premier Dalton McGuinty. Olympians will also have dinner at Ronald McDonald House and participate in a Performance Excellence Series event with young athletes. 2012 Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame inductees will also participate in a press conference.
Friday, September 21: Canadian Olympic Heroes Parade and 2012 Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala Dinner and Induction Ceremony, Toronto
Starting at approximately 11:30am at the corner of Albert and Bay Streets, the parade will move through downtown, and wind up Maple Leaf Square in front of the Air Canada Centre for a public celebration.
The Olympic Heroes Parade is presented by Gold Partners Bombardier, Maple Leaf Sports + Entertainment Ltd., RBC, Teck and Thomson Reuters. Parade Excellence Partners include Air Canada, Bell, Chevrolet, Coca-Cola and Solotech. Support provided by the Governments of Canada and Ontario as well as the City of Toronto.
The week’s festivities culminate in the 2012 Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala Dinner and Induction Ceremony at the Air Canada Centre, where Jean-Luc Brassard, Daniel Igali, Beckie Scott, Julie Sauvé, the 2006 women’s hockey team and the 2010 men’s hockey team and the late Sarah Burke will be honoured for their outstanding contributions to the Olympic movement in Canada.
The 2012 Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala Dinner and Induction Ceremony is presented by Gold Sponsors Bombardier, RBC, Teck and Thomson Reuters.
Net proceeds from the event directly support the Canadian Olympic Team and their quest for Olympic glory through the Canadian Olympic Foundation.
For more information on the 2012 Celebration of Excellence visit: http://olympic.ca/celebration-of-excellence.
