The families of Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Winter athletes have another reason to cheer with the exciting launch of the Petro-Canada Canadian Athlete Family Program. This initiative will allow over 500 athletes' family members to watch their loved ones compete live at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
The program was unveiled by Petro-Canada, the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) at the University of British Columbia's Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre.
"We are proud to be hosting our Olympic and Paralympic athletes' greatest fans - their families - at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver," said Boris Jackman, Executive Vice-President, Petro-Canada. "With the 2010 Games taking place in our own backyard, there's no better way to celebrate our Canadian athletes than by providing their families with the opportunity to share in the experience."
The Petro-Canada Canadian Athlete Family Program will accommodate and host two immediate family members of all participating Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes competing at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. The program includes up to four nights of accommodations, meals and event tickets to watch their loved ones compete.
"For families of Canadian athletes, the expense of attending competitions often prohibits family members from supporting their athletes in person," said Chris Rudge, Canadian Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer. "The Petro-Canada Canadian Athlete Family Program not only allows families to watch the competitions live, but it also spares the athletes the stress and distraction of worrying about their families' accommodation and ticketing needs."
"In Vancouver, the dream will be even more poignant - Canadian athletes will compete for their country at home, and with Petro-Canada's help will do so with their families cheering them on," adds Carla Qualtrough, President, Canadian Paralympic Committee.
This program is part of Petro-Canada's grassroots commitment to Canadian sports, with the aim of ensuring that athletes from across the country feel a sense of community support by having their families to cheer them on at the upcoming Olympic Games.
"Competing in the Olympic Winter Games in Canada is a once-in-a-life time opportunity for me. It's tremendously exciting, but there is also a lot of pressure. It's a huge relief to know that our accommodations and tickets will be taken care of for our families," said Kristina Groves, Long Track Speed Skater. "The Petro-Canada Canadian Athlete Family Program also means our families will be there to see our Olympic dreams come true, and you can't put a price on that experience."
Petro-Canada has a 20-year history of helping Canadian athletes achieve their dreams. Since 1988, Petro-Canada has donated more than $6 million to help over 2,000 developing (pre-carded) athletes and coaches on their journey to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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