OTTAWA, August 6, 2004 -- The Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of State (Sport), will attend the Olympic Games from August 8 to 15 and today announced that the Government of Canada is providing an additional $788,000 to Team Canada for final preparation needs before the 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Athens.This new funding will be used to assist in final preparations prior to the Games, and on site in such areas as additional training and competitions, equipment, coaching and support specialists, and costs associated with providing athletes with additional time for acclimatization and preparation in Athens. The new funding is in addition to the nearly $38 million previously allotted to Summer Olympic and Paralympic sport organizations and athletes for 2004-2005. "We have an outstanding team representing Canada at the Olympic Games. They are great ambassadors for our country. I look forward to meeting as many Canadian athletes, coaches, volunteers, and officials as I can," said Minister Owen. "The Games will also provide an ideal opportunity to meet with members of other governments to discuss bilateral agreements and to work on important issues, such as women in sport, the fight against doping in sport, and Canada's preparations to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver."Minister Owen will meet with international colleagues on key issues in sport and lend his support to Canada's athletes. Highlights:- Minister Owen will participate on a panel at the Right to Play Roundtable that will discuss the humanitarian potential of sport and the extent of its applications, using examples from a wide range of countries. The Roundtable will bring together government representatives, including Prime Ministers and Presidents, as well as leaders of the United Nations, representatives of the Olympic movement, high-performance athletes, and others. Minister Owen will speak about the contribution of sport to the struggle against HIV/AIDS.- The Minister will attend the Commonwealth Ministers' Meeting scheduled just before the start of the Games.- Minister Owen will participate in bilateral meetings to promote Canadian sport priorities abroad, including women in sport, sport for persons with disabilities, and increasing access to quality sport for all people.- The Minister will also attend an informal gathering of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), at which members will continue their work to promote fundamental values in sport and to achieve drug-free sport. "I look forward to working with our Games partners in Athens to learn how Canada can maximize the benefit of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. I believe 2010 will bring opportunities not only to the West but to all Canadians," said Minister Owen. The Government of Canada is the single largest investor in Canada's sport system. A total of $120 million is being provided in 2004Ñ05 to support initiatives for our high-performance athletes and for increased participation by Canadians in sport. For more information on Government of Canada support for Canada's Olympic Team, please visit http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/olympic/omnipages/support_e.cfmInformation:In Canada Alastair Mullin Director of Communications for the Minister of State (Sport)(819) 952-7418In Athens (from August 8 to 15)Michel CharetteSpecial Assistantfor the Minister of State (Sport)(819) 994-9909
