RBC searching for Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes for its Community Ambassador Program

Program provides financial aid, essential career skills and the opportunity to share Olympic experiences with Canadians

TORONTO — RBC today announced it is searching for national team athletes or retired Olympians and Paralympians to be a part of the RBC Olympians Program, which provides Canadian athletes with funding and valuable work experience to help them succeed both in competition and life after sport.

“Whether competing for Canada or starting on a new career path, the RBC Olympian Program helps athletes like me succeed,” said Jeff Bean, RBC Olympian. “RBC understands the pressures facing today’s athletes by providing a flexible work schedule, funding and the opportunity to share our passion and Olympic experiences with people across the country. The workplace skills and training I will learn as an RBC Olympian will help me excel in my professional career after I stop competing.”

The athletes will act as community ambassadors, inspiring students, community groups, RBC clients and employees with their past experiences and Olympic dreams. They also work to create awareness and support for amateur sport in Canada and inspire the next generation to be physically fit and participate in sports at any level.

RBC is looking for a number of carded national team athletes or retired Olympians and Paralympians to apply for the RBC Olympians Program, in main urban centres across Canada beginning in September 2009. The deadline for applications is July 18, 2009. More information on the RBC Olympians Program can be found at www.rbc.com/sponsorship/rbcolympians.

Committed to supporting amateur sport in Canada from grassroots to elite-level athletes, RBC has had over 60 Olympic and Paralympic athletes participate in the program since its inception in 2002. Some of the athletes who have participated include: Blythe Hartley, Diving, 2008 Olympian; Andrea Holmes, Paralympic Athletics, 2008 Olympian; Adam Kreek, Rowing, 2008 gold medallist; Crispin Lipscomb, Snowboarding, 2006 Olympian; Alex Duckworth, Snowboarding, Olympic hopeful; Jeff Bean, Freestyle Skiing, 2006 Olympian and Jennifer Botterill, 2006 gold medallist, Ice Hockey.

“The RBC Olympians Program provides Canada’s athletes with key financial support to help them in their quest to reach the podium while also providing an excellent opportunity to gain valuable work experience as they prepare for a career after sport,” said Chris Rudge, chief executive officer, Canadian Olympic Committee. “As Canada’s longest standing corporate supporter of the Canadian Olympic Team, RBC continues to put athletes first through initiatives such as the RBC Olympians Program.”

RBC AND AMATEUR SPORT
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.