Released on May 6, 2014
Today the Government of Saskatchewan and Sask Sport recognized the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches and officials with Saskatchewan connections during a ceremony at the Saskatchewan Legislature.
“Thank you to our 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers,” Premier Brad Wall said. “Your passion, talent and work ethic are exceptional. You are wonderful ambassadors for our growing province. You motivate; you inspire. We are so proud of you.”
Thirty-one Saskatchewan athletes, coaches and officials attended the Games.
Five Saskatchewan athletes won medals. Hayley Wickenheiser (Shaunavon), member of the Canadian Women’s Hockey team, won a gold medal. Ryan Getzlaf (Regina), Patrick Marleau (Aneroid) and Chris Kunitz (Regina), members of the Canadian Men’s Hockey team, won gold medals and Mark McMorris (Regina) won a bronze medal in Slopestyle snowboarding - the first time it was recognized as an official Olympic sport.
“An Olympian is an ordinary person who is able to combine the encouragement, effort and support of many people around them into success,” Olympic Biathlete Scott Perras said. “It is because of the support of the people and organizations throughout Saskatchewan that I was able to focus and achieve my goal of becoming an Olympian. This accomplishment is as much mine as theirs.”
“Starting my skiing journey in Saskatchewan opened my eyes to the support and possibilities within the province,” Para-Nordic Cross-Country Skier Brittany Hudak said. “Programs and services I received such as nutrition, training, recovery and athlete assistance made it possible to pursue my skiing career. I can’t express the amount of pride I had representing my province, Saskatchewan, and our country, Canada. I am so grateful for all the help and support I received.”
“On behalf of amateur sport in Saskatchewan, we congratulate the 2014 Sochi athletes, coaches and officials,” Sask Sport President Shane Reoch said. “Their success is a testament to the amateur sport system in our province and the thousands of volunteers who support opportunities for Saskatchewan participants to reach their personal goals and dreams.”
Students from Albert Community School participated in an autograph session with the athletes. Athletes, coaches and officials were celebrated with a formal ceremony in the rotunda, followed by a private luncheon, and then formal introductions in the house.
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For more information, contact:
Chelsea Coupal
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5781
Email:
chelsea.coupal@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-8152
Della Ruopp
Sask Sport Inc.
Regina
Phone: 306-780-9375
Email: druopp@sasksport.sk.ca
Cell: 306-570-9990