May 21, 2004 (Montreal, Quebec) – It was with great pleasure that the
Canadian Olympic
Committee (COC) announced the selection of Sylvie Bernier as Assistant Chef
de Mission of the Canadian Olympic Team for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in
Torino, Italy.

“I am thrilled and honoured to be selected as Assistant Chef de Mission. It
is a privilege to serve the Canadian Olympic Team in such a leadership
capacity,” said Bernier. “I hope my experience and background will be an
asset to the team in the next 22 months leading up to the Games.”

An accomplished Olympian, Bernier won Canada’s first-ever gold medal in
diving in the 3 m springboard event at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los
Angeles. That same year she was named Canadian Female Athlete of the Year.
Her extremely successful international career in diving also includes a
silver medal at the 1982 Commonwealth Games, and a bronze medal at the 1983
Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela. Following her retirement from
diving, Bernier was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1985, and was
honoured with induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

“Sylvie is one of the great Canadian Olympians. We are thrilled that she has
agreed to join us as we build the support team to assist athletes in
reaching the podium at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games,” said Shane Pearsall,
Canada’s Chef de Mission. “Her experience as an athlete and her appreciation
for the role of the coach will assist the COC in its Games operations.”

The 2006 Olympic Winter Games will take place February 10-26, 2006 in
Torino, Italy.