October 9/13 22:31 pm - RBC Unveils Olympic Roster with Two Para-Cyclists

Posted by Editoress on 10/9/13
 

Today, joined by Canadian Olympians and Paralympians, Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) officials and special guests, RBC announced the names of 47 world-class Canadian athletes who will be part of the RBC Olympians Program from 2013 through 2015. Combined, these exceptional athletes have earned a total of 31 Olympic medals and 36 Paralympic medals.  Para-cyclists Robbi Weldon and  Marie-Claude Molnar are included in the list of athletes.

As the first and longest-standing corporate sponsor of the Canadian Olympic Team, RBC supports Canadian amateur athletes in both summer and winter sports. Since 1947, the company has encouraged healthy, active lifestyles, while building a lasting legacy for Canadian athletes through partnerships with organizations including the COC.

"Investing in our athletes is an investment in Canada, and we are thrilled to welcome these 47 incredible athletes to the RBC Olympians Program," said Dave McKay, Group Head, Personal and Commercial Banking, RBC. "RBC has a longstanding tradition of being committed to helping Canadian athletes succeed - on and off the field of play and in their transition to life after sport. We're here today to continue this important relationship."

The RBC Olympians Program, which began in 2002, is a national initiative that provides elite athletes with much-needed funding and flexible work arrangements which allow the athletes to focus on training and competition. The program also provides an opportunity to gain career-oriented skills and experiences that help them succeed in their transition to life after sport.

"Canada's Olympic and Paralympic athletes are some of our country's greatest assets and they are proof that the power of sport can improve our society, inspire and bring Canadians together," said Marcel Aubut, President, COC. "Our athletes embody the true spirit of sport and Canada - though they may compete in individual events, they come together as a team and rally an entire country behind their efforts."

Returning to the RBC Olympians roster are well-known Canadian Olympians and Vancouver 2010 gold-medalists Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue (Figure Skating), 2013 World Champion Patrick Chan (Figure Skating), Marc Kennedy (Curling), Benoît Huot (Paralympic Swimming), Jayna Hefford (Ice Hockey) as well as Greg Westlake, captain of the Canadian men's sledge hockey team.

With the upcoming Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games mere months away, all RBC Olympians will be looked up to by young Canadian athletes from across the country that dream of one day competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"Canadians rally behind our athletes - it's in our DNA as a proud, patriotic country," said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), also present for today's announcement. "Our Olympic and Paralympic athletes embody the true spirit of Canada, dedicating themselves to their sport and proudly representing their country on the world stage."

Continuing its legacy of supporting amateur athletes, the RBC Olympians Program recruits and hires both current and retired Olympic and Paralympic athletes to work as community ambassadors for RBC while bringing the Olympic messages of excellence, teamwork, leadership, and commitment to Canadian communities. In addition, athletes are outfitted with the necessary business skills to have a career after sport. At today's event, RBC also announced that since the program began, nearly 200 current and retired Olympic and Paralympic athletes have participated in the RBC Olympians Program, with 10 becoming full-time RBC employees.

The RBC Olympians for 2013/2014 are:

British Columbia
• Will Dean, Rowing
• Scott Frandsen, Rowing
• Rosalind Groenewoud, Freestyle Skiing – Halfpipe
• Trevor Hirschfield, Wheelchair Rugby
• Darcy Marquardt, Rowing
• Christian Redmann, Beach Volleyball
• Doug Vandor, Rowing

Alberta
• Viviane Forest, Paralympic Alpine Skiing
• Joshua Riker Fox, Modern Pentathlon
• Kristina Groves, Long Track Speed Skating
• Marc Kennedy, Curling
• Brady Leman, Freestyle Skiing - Ski Cross
• Carla Macleod, Ice Hockey
• Bobbi-Jo Slusar, Ice Hockey

Manitoba/Saskatchewan
• Miranda Biletski, Wheelchair Rugby
• Jillian Gallays, Wrestling
• Brad Jacobs, Curling
• Colin Mathieson, Wheelchair Racing
• Jill Officer, Curling


Ontario
• Jennifer Botterill, Ice Hockey
• Ashley-Lynn Brzozowicz, Rowing
• Jason Burnett, Trampoline
• Patrick Chan, Figure Skating
• Becky Kellar Duke, Ice Hockey
• Heather Hamilton, Athletics – Pole Vault
• Jayna Hefford, Ice Hockey
• Martha McCabe, Swimming
• Derek O'Farrell, Rowing
• Mark Oldershaw, Canoe - Sprint
• Brian Price, Rowing
• Kevin Rempel, Sledge Hockey
• Cody Sorensen, Bobsleigh

• Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, Figure Skating
• Robbi Weldon, Paralympic Cycling

• Greg Westlake, Sledge Hockey

Quebec
• Caroline Calvé, Snowboard - Alpine
• François Coulombe Fortier, Taekwondo
• Hugues Fournel, Kayak
• Benoît Huot, Paralympic Swimming
• Mikaël Kingsbury, Freestyle Skiing – Moguls
• Marie-Claude Molnar, Paralympic Cycling
• Caroline Ouellette, Ice Hockey
• Benoît St-Amand, Sledge Hockey

Atlantic Canada
• Adam Lancia, Nova Scotia, Wheelchair Basketball
• Una Lounder, Nova Scotia, Kayak
• Ben Russell, Nova Scotia, Canoe - Sprint