Harper Government Supports the 2013 Luge World Championships

WHISTLER, February 1, 2013 - On behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), John Weston, Member of Parliament (West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country), today announced the Government of Canada’s contribution to Bobsleigh Luge Skeleton Canada for the 2013 Luge World Championships. This event is being held on February 1 and 2 at the Whistler Sliding Centre in Whistler, British Columbia.

“Our Government, through Sport Canada’s Hosting Program, is proud to provide support to Bobsleigh Luge Skeleton Canada for the 2013 Luge World Championships,” said Minister of State Gosal. “I want to convey my best wishes to our athletes as they continue their pursuit of excellence here at home in Canada.”

“Hosting international sport events like these World Championships offers an opportunity for our athletes to compete against the world’s best, while bringing a welcome boost to the local economy,” said Mr. Weston. “Our athletes serve as outstanding role models, particularly for our young people, and their accomplishments are an inspiration to Canadians of all ages and abilities. Good luck to all the competitors.”

“The Government of Canada has played a critical role in developing Canadian luge athletes from participants into medal winners, through its investment in the Own the Podium program and by contributing to the staging of major events,” said Tim Farstad, Executive Director, Canadian Luge Association. “We applaud the Harper Government for giving us the opportunity to host the world once again on the 2010 Olympic Track. We look forward to celebrating the first podium performance by a Canadian luge athlete on the Whistler Track with all Canadians.”

The Canadian Luge Association is a not-for-profit organization responsible for governing the sport of luge across the country. It recruits and develops the nation’s current and future high-performance luge athletes, with the goal of seeing them climb regularly onto the international podium.

The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in Canada and supports participation and excellence from playground to podium. Funding of $150,000 in support of this event has been provided through Sport Canada’s Hosting Program. Sport Canada’s Sport Support Program has approved approximately $2.6 million to Bobsleigh Luge Skeleton Canada in fiscal year 2012–2013. In 2011–2012, approximately $212,000 was provided through the Athlete Assistance Program to assist 22 luge athletes with training and living expenses.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Robert Lynch
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Bal Gosal, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122
robert.lynch@pch.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca