Olympic and Paralympic athletes join RBC team across Canada

RBC Olympians Program enables Canadian Olympians and Paralympians to succeed both in competition and in life after sport

TORONTO, September 25, 2006 — RBC today announced the 20 outstanding Canadian athletes who will become RBC Olympians for the next year.

The RBC Olympians Program is a national initiative that provides elite athletes with an opportunity to gain career-oriented experience within a flexible work schedule that allows them the time necessary to train and compete. The career skills and experiences gathered from working at RBC will help the athletes at different stages of their careers.

“I’m delighted to be an RBC Olympian and experience first-hand RBC’s support for amateur sport in Canada,” said Dominique Maltais, Petite-Rivière-St-François-based RBC Olympian, 2006 Olympic bronze medalist, Snowboarding. “RBC is giving me the chance to develop the skills I will need to be successful in my life after sport while also letting me share my experiences and stories with students and communities across Canada.”

This year’s RBC Olympians are a collection of recently retired Olympic competitors, Olympic hopefuls, and medallists, such as Colleen Sostorics, Ice Hockey gold medallist (2006, 2002), Kristi Richards, Freestyle Moguls, 2006 Olympian, and Paul Tingley, Sailing, 2004 Paralympian.

“The RBC Olympians Program helps amateur athletes realize their goals whether it’s representing Canada on the world stage or preparing for their future careers,” said Jim Westlake, Group Head, Canadian Personal and Business Clients, RBC. “We provide competing athletes with the funding and flexibility they need for training and competition, as well as give both competing and retired athletes the opportunity to develop new skills that help them in the next stage of their lives.”

Through the RBC Olympians Program, the athletes will act as community ambassadors across the country, sharing their Olympic and Paralympic Games experiences and current aspirations with schools and community groups, as well as with RBC clients and employees. RBC Olympians also help raise awareness and support for amateur sport, inspiring Canadians to be fit and participate in sports at all levels.

The full list of RBC Olympians includes:

British Columbia

* Jacqueline Cook, Rowing, 2004 Olympian
* Andrea Holmes, Paralympic Athletics, 2004 Paralympian
* Anne-Marie Lefrançois, Alpine Skiing, 2002 Retired Olympian
* Ravi Kahlon, Field Hockey, 2000 Olympian
* Alexa Loo, Snowboard, 2006 Olympian
* Kristi Richards, Freestyle Ski, 2006 Olympian

Prairies

* Blythe Hartley, Diving, Bronze Medallist - 2004 Olympian
* Jared MacLeod, Athletics, Olympic Hopeful
* Colleen Sostorics, Ice Hockey, Gold Medallist - 2006 Olympian

Ontario

* Jennifer Botterill, Ice Hockey, Gold Medallist - 2006 Olympian
* Jason Dunkerley, Paralympic Athletics, 2004 Paralympian
* Perdita Felicien, Athletics, 2004 Olympian
* Bernard Luttmer, Sailing, 2004 Olympian
* Sami Jo Small, Member of the 2006 Gold Medal winning Canadian Women’s Ice Hockey team

Quebec

* Martine Albert, Biathlon, 2006 Olympian
* Dominique Maltais, Snowboarding, Bronze Medallist - 2006 Olympian
* Marc-Andre Moreau, Freestyle Ski, 2006 Olympian

Atlantic Region

* Joël Bourgeois, Athletics, 2000 Olympian
* David Kikuchi, Gymnastics, 2004 Olympian
* Paul Tingley, Paralympic Sailing, 2004 Paralympian

More information on the RBC Olympians can be found at www.rbc.com/sponsorship/rbcolympians.html.

RBC AND AMATEUR SPORT
RBC Financial Group (RBC) sponsors amateur sport, from grassroots events in local communities to national sport associations that support the development of amateur athletes who compete at home and abroad. As the longest-standing supporter of Canada’s Olympic Team, since 1947, RBC continues this sponsorship to include the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. RBC is also a Premier Sponsor of Hockey Canada, the Canadian Snowboard Team, the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team, Athletics Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

Contact Information

Beja Rodeck

RBC media relations

RBC Financial Group (RBC)

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