March 29, 2005 – Beckie Scott will return to her hometown of Vermilion, Alta. for the first time since receiving her 2002 Olympic gold medal on Wednesday, March 30, 2005.

Scott, who became the first ever North American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in Salt Lake City, Utah, will make a presentation focusing on healthy and active tobacco-free living to a gymnasium filled with Grades 4 to 6 students at Vermilion Elementary School. The public presentation, which is open to youth in Vermilion, will begin at 12 noon.

The event is part of a province-wide crusade a select group of Canada’s Olympians are making as part of CODA’s Sport For Life program, in partnership with AADAC, designed to help reduce the amount of tobacco use amongst Alberta youth.

Scott’s healthy message is simple – Adopt active, non-smoking lifestyles!

“I think the message that Sport For Life brings to children is extremely important,” said Scott. “I feel it is important, as an athlete, to speak about my personal journey and emphasize the positive influence that sport can have on encouraging healthy lifestyles.”

Sport For Life’s mission is to develop innovative ways to utilize sport at the recreational, developmental and high-performance levels to positively influence youth, and impact the community on issues of health and wellness. The Olympic gold medallist joined CODA’s fight to reduce tobacco use among Alberta’s youth earlier this year.

WHO: Beckie Scott, Olympic Gold Medallist

WHERE: Vermilion Elementary School – Gymnasium
4837 – 44th street

Vermilion, Alta.

WHEN: 12 noon – 1 p.m.