July 23, 2010 (Canmore, Alberta) – Cross Country Canada (CCC) wrapped up a memorable 2010 competitive season by honouring its medal-winning athletes at a reception in Banff, Alberta earlier this month. Some of the greatest names to hit the start line at Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship and World Cup cross-country skiing events over the last decade were in attendance.

With a goal of celebrating long-standing commitment to the sport of cross-country skiing in Canada, CCC hosted this event, which was sponsored by the spectacular Juniper Hotel and Bistro in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, to commemorate some remarkable feats. This includes the dominant triple gold medal performance by Brian and Robin McKeever, along with Colette Bourgonje’s silver and bronze medal finishes at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

“Our community witnessed historic performances by many of Canada’s Nordic athletes at the 2010 Games, most notably the five medals won by the McKeever brothers and Colette at the Paralympics,” said Davin MacIntosh, executive director, Cross Country Canada. “These athletes have overcome tremendous adversity both on and off the snow and are incredible role models for our sport.”

The governing body for cross-country skiing in Canada also recognized a talented group of National Ski Team athletes who have joined two-time Olympic medallist Beckie Scott, and retired from sport over the last four years. The group, led by Olympic silver medallist Sara Renner, who called it a career after her fourth Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver-Whistler, included:

– Chris Jeffries
– Gord Jewett
– Tasha Betcherman
– Shayla Swanson
– Sean Crooks
– Dave Nighbor
– Madeleine Williams
– Rhonda Jewett
– Milaine Theriault
– Dan Roycroft

“These athletes are leaving our sport after playing a huge role in putting us on the international radar screen,” said MacIntosh. “With Beckie’s success a launch point, Sara carried the torch through this last Olympic quadrennial. Together, this group of talented athletes has rewritten Canadian history books and proved to future skiers that we can win.”

Cross Country Canada unveiled a banner in honour for Sara Renner that is now hung alongside Scott’s in the Cross Country Canada office. This recognizes a career of excellence by winning the nation’s first-ever World Championship medal, an Olympic silver medal and five World Cup podium finishes.

The federation also honoured head wax technician Yves Bilodeau for providing 28 years of service to the National Ski Team and completed a medal upgrade ceremony for rising Nordic star, Alex Harvey, from the 2008 Junior World Championships.

Cross Country Canada plans to hold a recognition event for its athletes at the completion of every Olympic and Paralympic cycle.

Cross Country Canada is the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada. Its 51,000 members include athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all ages and abilities, including those on Canada’s National Ski Teams and Para-Nordic Ski Teams. Cross-country skiing is Canada’s optimal winter sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually.