OTTAWA, September 22, 2009 - The Government of Canada today announced the names of about 130 Team Canada artists and athletes who will take part in the VI Games of La Francophonie from September 27 to October 6, in Beirut, Lebanon.
"Team Canada can count on strong and diverse representation, like our country itself," said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. "On behalf of all Canadians, I wish the best of luck to all participants. I am sure that they will represent us with pride and excellence."
A huge event for young people, the Games of La Francophonie have the special feature of combining cultural and sport competitions in which artists, just like athletes, can hope to stand proudly on the podium to receive a gold, silver or bronze medal.
"The Games of La Francophonie highlight the talent and savoir faire of Canadian artists and athletes," said the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister for La Francophonie. "Our Government is proud to support them by providing the opportunity to take part in the Games and discover the many different aspects of the Francophone world."
Seven cultural and seven sport categories make up the program of the Games of La Francophonie. Team Canada has participants in all of the cultural categories on the program. Canada is represented by Karkwa in song, Arleen Thibault in storytelling, Virginie Brunelle in original dance, Stéphanie Filion in literature, Benjamin Rodger in painting, Geneviève Thauvette in photography, and Sarah Beck in sculpture.
In sport, Team Canada will take part in six of the seven scheduled competitions. Canada is represented by close to 70 people in track and field, 20 members of the men's soccer team, and more than 30 participants in judo, boxing, table tennis, and beach volleyball (demonstration sport).
"The Games of La Francophonie allow young people to benefit from an extraordinary experience and have helped in the development of now well-known artists and athletes in Canada and abroad," said the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport). "Among them are Marie-Jo Thério, Fred Pellerin, Catherine Major, Donovan Bailey, Bruny Surin, and Chantal Petitclerc. We are sure that the 2009 Games will once again showcase Canadian excellence to the rest of the world."
Since the first Games of La Francophonie in 1989, Canada has sent a delegation composed of three teams: Team Canada, as well as Team Canada-New Brunswick and Team Canada-Quebec, which are organized by their respective provincial governments.
More than 3 000 people from close to 50 countries will take part in the Games. This will be the highest level of participation since the IV Games of La Francophonie, held in Canada in 2001.
For more information on Canada's participation in the VI Games of La Francophonie and the list of Team Canada results, visit www.jeuxdelafrancophonie2009.pch.gc.ca .
Note for media representatives
Attachment
- List of participants by province.
Interview with participants
- For an interview with one of the participants or the chef de mission of Team Canada, please contact Canadian Heritage Media Relations at 1?866?569?6155.
Information documents at your disposal on www.jeuxdelafrancophonie2009.pch.gc.ca
- Three information sheets on the Games of La Francophonie, the cultural component, and the sport component.
Photos and articles at your disposal
- You can download photos of athletes posted on our Internet site. These photos are free from copyright.
- During the Games, you can also download photos of the competitions and articles from the publication Canada at the Games . Photos and articles will be updated every day.
Media Guide
- The Media Guide, which includes the list of Team Canada members, will be available tomorrow. To obtain a copy, contact Canadian Heritage Media Relations at 1-866-569-6155.
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Lisa Mitchell
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister for La Francophonie
613-943-1838
Office of the Honourable
Gary Lunn, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca