Previous Next

28 Olympic & Paralympic Athletes Join RBC

MONDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2007

RBC announced today the 28 exceptional Canadian athletes who have joined the RBC team as RBC Olympians for the next year.

The RBC Olympians Program is a national initiative that provides elite athletes with an opportunity to gain career-oriented experience with a flexible work schedule that gives them the time necessary to train and compete. The career skills and experiences gained from working at RBC will help these athletes at different stages of their careers.

"As an RBC Olympian, I have the opportunity to develop the skills needed to be successful in my career after sports, while also allowing me to share my experiences and stories with students and communities across Canada," said Andrea Holmes, Vancouver-based RBC Paralympian, 2004 Paralympian (Athens), Athletics. "The RBC Olympians program supports amateur sport in Canada by helping Canadian athletes succeed, whether they are competing for Canada or starting a new career."

This year's RBC Olympians are a collection of hopefuls and medallists, such as Jennifer Botterill, Ice Hockey gold medallist (2006, 2002), Blythe Hartley, Diving bronze medallist (2004) and Benoit Huot, Paralympic Swimming gold medallist (2004).

"The RBC Olympians Program supports amateur athletes by providing them with the funding and flexibility they need to succeed," said Jim Westlake, group head, Canadian Banking, RBC. "Working at RBC, the athletes will be able to apply their exceptional skills and knowledge to a different playing field. We hope their experiences with the program will help them realize their fullest potential both in sports and in their future careers."

Through the RBC Olympians Program, the athletes act as community ambassadors across the country, sharing their Olympic and Paralympic Games' experiences, as well as current aspirations with schools and community groups, RBC clients and employees. RBC Olympians also help raise awareness and support for amateur sport, inspiring Canadians to be physically fit and participate in sports at all levels.

RBC Olympians for the next year are:

British Columbia
- Andrea Holmes, Paralympic Athletics, 2004 Paralympian
- Ravi Kahlon, Field Hockey, 2000 Olympian
- Anne-Marie Lefrançois, Alpine Skiing, 2002 Olympian
- Crispin Lipscombe, Snowboarding, 2006 Olympian
- Gary Reed, Athletics, 2004 Olympian
- Kristi Richards, Freestyle Ski, 2006 Olympian
- Donovan Tildesley, Paralympic Swimming, 2004 Paralympian
- Chris Wong, Freestyle Skiing, 2006 Olympian

Prairies
- Fiona Bell, Ice Hockey, Silver Medallist - 1998 Olympian
- Lisa Blackburn, Swimming, Olympic Hopeful
- Steve Elm, Speed Skating, Silver Medallist - 2006 Olympian
- Blythe Hartley, Diving, Bronze Medallist - 2004 Olympian
- Colleen Sostorics, Ice Hockey, Gold Medallist - 2006 Olympian

Ontario
- Jeff Bean, Freestyle Skiing, 2006 Olympian
- Jennifer Botterill, Ice Hockey, Gold Medallist - 2006 Olympian
- Jacquie Cook, Rowing, 2004 Olympian
- Claire Carver-Dias, Synchronized swimming, Bronze Medallist - 2000 Olympian
- Perdita Felicien, Athletics, 2004 Olympian
- Jayna Hefford, Ice Hockey, Gold Medallist - 2006 Olympian
- Gillian Apps, Ice Hockey, Gold Medallist - 2006 Olympian

Quebec
- Martine Albert, Biathlon, 2006 Olympian
- Benoit Huot, Paralympic Swimming, Gold Medallist - 2004 Paralympian
- Sandra Lize, Water Polo, 2000 Olympian
- Dominique Maltais, Snowboarding, Bronze Medallist - 2006 Olympian

Atlantic Region
- Joel Bourgeois, Athletics, 2000 Olympian
- Alex Duckworth, Snowboarding, Olympic Hopeful
- David Kikuchi, Gymnastics, 2004 Olympian
- Jay Hugh Smith, Gymnastics, Olympic Hopeful

More information on the RBC Olympians can be found at www.rbc.com.

Source:
www.newswire.ca

Previous Next