Canada Supports Its Lac-Mégantic World Cup
The Government of Canada continues to step up in the world of open water swimming.
Their investment is big-time and is generating big-time results.
The support helps Canada host major international events on the global open water swimming calendar as well as help produce two Olympic 10km Marathon Swim finalists at the 2012 London Olympic Games: Richard Weinberger and Zsofia Balazs.
The government contributes to Swimming Canada Natation, enabling it to host such events as the 2012 FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup – Lac-Mégantic. The event is being held on August 11, 2012, at Lac-Mégantic, Quebec.
“The Government of Canada, through Sport Canada’s Hosting Program, is proud to provide support to Swimming Canada Natation for the 2012 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup,” said Minister of State Bal Gosal. “I convey my best wishes to our athletes in their pursuit of excellence here at home in Canada.”
“Hosting international sport events like this World Cup offers an opportunity for our athletes to compete against some of the best in the world while bringing about a welcome boost to the local economy,” said Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture).
“We appreciate the continued support from the Government of Canada for this event and for sport in Canada,” said Pierre Lafontaine, Chief Executive Officer and National Coach for Swimming Canada Natation. “We are extremely excited to be back this year in Lac-Mégantic. Canada has a rich history of open water swimming, and with this financial support we will again be able to bring the world to Canada, to Lac-Mégantic, and to Piopolis. Hosting international events such as the FINA 10km Marathon World Cup in Lac-Mégantic is great for the development of our sport.”
The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in Canada and supports participation and excellence from playground to podium. Funding of $50,000 has been provided for this event through Sport Canada’s Hosting Program. In 2011–2012, Swimming Canada Natation received more than $5.3 million from Sport Canada’s Sport Support Program, and almost $1.4 million was provided through the Athlete Assistance Program to support 123 swimmers with living and training expenses.
With a history that includes such Canadian luminaries as Jacques Amyot, Marilyn Bell, Lynn Blouin, Christine Cossette, Robert Cossette, George Duthie, Helge Jensen, Vicki Keith Munro, Régent Lacoursière, Cliff Lumsden, Cynthia Nicholas, Gilles Potvin, Gus Ryder, Greg Streppel, Patty Thompson, Margaret Park Wisniski, and George Young, it is not surprising that Canada continues to invest in its open water swimming history based on its illustrious past.
Copyright © 2008 – 2012 by World Open Water Swimming Association
