Statement by the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport) on Jean-Luc Brassard being named Canada's chef de mission for the Rio 2016 Olympic Summer Games

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - Dec. 4, 2014) - On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, I would like to offer our most heartfelt congratulations to Jean-Luc Brassard, who was today named Canada's Chef de mission for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Jean-Luc joined the Canadian national freestyle ski team at the age of 17 and enjoyed a brilliant 12-year career, becoming a national, world and Olympic champion. He is a four-time Olympian, competing at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France; the 1994 Games in Lillehammer, Norway; the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan, where he was also Canada's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony; and the 2002 Games, in Salt Lake City, USA. He won the gold medal in freestyle skiing at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer. He also served as Canada's Assistant Chef de mission for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

The Chef de mission is the official spokesperson for the Canadian Olympic Team. He will act as a mentor, a leader and an inspiration to the athletes. It is a volunteer role that demands a significant time commitment and dedication, as part of the core leadership group supporting the Olympic Team.

The Government of Canada recognizes that our Olympic athletes are an enormous source of pride and inspiration for all Canadians and serve as excellent role models for our young people. We have maintained record level funding to the Canadian sport system, including our support for the Canadian Olympic Committee, summer national sport organizations and Own the Podium, so that we can ensure our athletes reach the podium at every possible opportunity.

The Rio 2016 Olympic Summer Games will take place from August 5 to 21, 2016, and will feature over 10,500 athletes from 204 countries competing in 42 sports. Canada expects to send a team of more than 275 athletes. Qualifications are ongoing and will be finalized in summer 2016.

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