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RBC searching for Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes
for its Community Ambassador ProgramProgram provides financial aid, essential career skills and the opportunity to share Olympic experiences with Canadians
TORONTO, June 8, 2009 — RBC today announced
it is searching for national team athletes or retired Olympians
and Paralympians to be a part of the RBC Olympians Program,
which provides Canadian athletes with funding and valuable
work experience to help them succeed both in competition and
life after sport.
"Whether competing for Canada or starting on a new career
path, the RBC Olympian Program helps athletes like me succeed,"
said Jeff Bean, RBC Olympian. "RBC understands the pressures
facing today's athletes by providing a flexible work schedule,
funding and the opportunity to share our passion and Olympic
experiences with people across the country. The workplace
skills and training I will learn as an RBC Olympian will help
me excel in my professional career after I stop competing."
The athletes will act as community ambassadors, inspiring
students, community groups, RBC clients and employees with
their past experiences and Olympic dreams. They also work
to create awareness and support for amateur sport in Canada
and inspire the next generation to be physically fit and participate
in sports at any level.
RBC is looking for a number of carded national team athletes
or retired Olympians and Paralympians to apply for the RBC
Olympians Program, in main urban centres across Canada beginning
in September 2009. The deadline for applications is July 18,
2009. More information on the RBC Olympians Program can be
found at www.rbc.com/sponsorship/rbcolympians.
Committed to supporting amateur sport in Canada from grassroots
to elite-level athletes, RBC has had over 60 Olympic and Paralympic
athletes participate in the program since its inception in
2002. Some of the athletes who have participated include:
Blythe Hartley, Diving, 2008 Olympian; Andrea Holmes, Paralympic
Athletics, 2008 Olympian; Adam Kreek, Rowing, 2008 gold medallist;
Crispin Lipscomb, Snowboarding, 2006 Olympian; Alex Duckworth,
Snowboarding, Olympic hopeful; Jeff Bean, Freestyle Skiing,
2006 Olympian and Jennifer Botterill, 2006 gold medallist,
Ice Hockey.
"The RBC Olympians Program provides Canada's athletes
with key financial support to help them in their quest to
reach the podium while also providing an excellent opportunity
to gain valuable work experience as they prepare for a career
after sport," said Chris Rudge, chief executive officer,
Canadian Olympic Committee. "As Canada's longest standing
corporate supporter of the Canadian Olympic Team, RBC continues
to put athletes first through initiatives such as the RBC
Olympians Program."
RBC AND AMATEUR SPORT
RBC sponsors amateur sport, from grassroots events in local
communities to national sport associations that support the
development of amateur athletes who compete at home and abroad.
As the longest-standing supporter of Canada's Olympic Team,
since 1947, RBC continues this sponsorship to include the
Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. RBC is
also a Premier Sponsor of Hockey Canada, the Canadian Snowboard
Team, the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team, Athletics Canada and
the Canadian Paralympic Committee.
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For more information or for an interview with a past member
of the RBC Olympians Program, please contact:
Jackie Braden, RBC, Media Relations, 416-974-1724
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