February 10, 2006 – Armed with several new high-performance initiatives designed to help Canada’s athletes achieve optimum success on the international stage and coming off a 2005-06 pre-Olympic World Cup season in which Canada recorded the second highest medal total with 136, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) restated its goal today of being one of the top three nations at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy. “This is a very exciting time for high-performance sport in our country,” said COC President Michael Chambers. “Four years ago in Salt Lake City, Canada turned in its greatest performance at the Olympic Winter Games, winning 17 medals and finishing fourth overall. Our success in 2002 paved the way for fundamental changes in our approach, such as the Own The Podium – 2010 program, and have positioned Canadian athletes with potential for even greater success in Turin.” Among some of the notable new high-performance initiatives implemented by the COC in advance of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games are:

An Olympic Excellence Series which brought together potential and past Olympic medal winners on two separate occasions for workshops and seminars designed to provide Olympic hopefuls with the practical skills and strategies needed to achieve podium success at the Games. The recruitment of Canadian Olympians François Drolet (Montreal, Que.), Marnie McBean (rowing, Toronto, Ont.) and Kristin Normand (synchronized swimming, Edmonton, Alta.) to serve as on-site athlete liaison officers and act as an athlete performance partners, advisors and mentors. An on-site advanced video analysis support system and performance centre where athletes and coaches will have the opportunity to access a variety of services and tools in the areas of technology, medicine, nutrition and training.

A Family & Friends program, located within Canada Olympic House and co-sponsored by Bell Canada and Hudson’s Bay Company, that is designed to help athletes remain focused on their competitions by alleviating the hosting responsibilities of Canada’s Olympic athletes, coaches and team leaders. “After witnessing the results of the 2005-06 pre-Olympic World Cup season, the Canadian Olympic Committee is confident that our new high-performance initiatives are having a positive effect on Canada’s athletes,” said COC Chief Executive Officer Chris Rudge. “Our 2006 Canadian Olympic Team represents the strongest squad we have ever sent to compete at an Olympic Winter Games and we remain focused on achieving our objective of a top-three finish.” Canada will officially compete in its 20th Olympic Winter Games this evening when flag bearer Danielle Goyette (ice hockey, St-Nazaire, Que.) leads Canada’s athletes into the Olympic stadium. A record total of 196 athletes will compete for Canada in all 15 disciplines over the next 17 days. “Over the past week things have run smoothly with respect to the logistics involved in getting all of our athletes settled into the three Olympic Villages,” said Chef de Mission Shane Pearsall. “Our on-site team and support staffs have been instrumental in executing our arrival plan which has enabled Canada’s athletes to remain focused on achieving podium success in Turin.” “You can see the excitement on all of the athletes’ faces,” said Assistant Chef de Mission Sylvie Bernier. “After years of training and competing, their moment is finally here and we are looking forward to watching Danielle Goyette lead Canada’s athletes into the opening ceremony parade this evening.” The Canadian Olympic Committee is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to sport excellence. It is responsible for all aspects of Canada’s involvement in the Olympic movement, including Canada’s participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games and a wide variety of programs that promote the Olympic Movement in Canada through cultural and educational means. For more information, see the COC website: www.olympic.ca.