Statement by the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), on the Announcement of Canadian Officials Selected for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games

OTTAWA, Jan. 30, 2014 /CNW/ - I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the 39 Canadian technical officials, representing 11 Olympic disciplines, who will take part in the upcoming Sochi Olympic Winter Games.

The Canadian technical officials selected are: Darrell MacLachlan (Alpine Skiing), Tim Dygras (Bobsleigh), Rae Kell (Curling), Dianne Barker (Curling), Ken McArton (Curling), Dave Petursson (Curling), Paul Smith (Curling), Hans Wuthrich (Curling), Eric Montford (Curling), Karen Howard (Figure Skating), Jodi Abbott (Figure Skating), Karen Butcher (Figure Skating), Hélène House (Freestyle Skiing), Mike Atkinson (Freestyle Skiing), Chris Moore (Freestyle Skiing), Chris Robinson (Freestyle Skiing), Jim Sidorchuk, (Freestyle Skiing / Snowboard), Melanie Bordeleau (Women's Ice Hockey), Denise Caughey, (Women's Ice Hockey), Stephanie Gagnon (Women's Ice Hockey), Todd Anderson (Women's Ice Hockey), Jesse Wilmot (Women's Ice Hockey), Chris Carlson (Men's Ice Hockey), Kevin Muench (Men's Ice Hockey), Kelly Sutherland (Men's Ice Hockey), Tim Peel (Men's Ice Hockey), Dave Jackson (Men's Ice Hockey), Mike Leggo (Men's Ice Hockey), Kevin Pollock, (Men's Ice Hockey), Lonnie Cameron (Men's Ice Hockey), Derek Amel (Men's Ice Hockey), Greg Devorski (Men's Ice Hockey), Brad Kovachik (Men's Ice Hockey), Mark Wheler (Men's Ice Hockey), John Heilig (Nordic Combined), Jon Servold (Nordic Combined), Michel Verrault (Short Track Speed Skating), Dave Graham (Skeleton), and Brandon Wong (Snowboard).

Canadian officials, like our athletes, have a well-earned reputation of being some of the best in the world. I am confident that these officials will approach their tasks with the fairness and impartiality that are the hallmarks of Canadian sport. As Minister of State (Sport), I wish you all a very successful Olympic Winter Games.

The 2014 Olympic Winter Games are being held from February 7 to 23 in Sochi, Russia. Canada will be represented by more than 200 athletes who will compete in 15 disciplines. More than 2,800 athletes, coaches, and team officials from more than 80 countries are participating in these Olympic Games.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage