Statement by the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), on the Announcement of Jean-Luc Brassard as Canada's Assistant Chef de Mission for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games

OTTAWA, Feb. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada, I would like to offer my most heartfelt congratulations to Jean-Luc Brassard, who today was named Canada's Assistant Chef de Mission for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Jean-Luc joined the Canadian National Freestyle Ski team at the age of 17 and enjoyed a brilliant 12-year career. During that time, he became 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; and the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City, USA. He won the gold medal in freestyle skiing at the 1994 Games in Lillehammer.

He competed at five FIS World Ski Championships (1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999) and won gold in 1993 in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria, and in 1997 in Iizuna Kogen, Japan. He added a silver medal in 1995 in Clusaz, France.

In FIS World Cup competition, he competed in 116 events worldwide, garnering 20 World Cup gold medals, as well as 27 silver and bronze medals. He was also the Canadian Champion in 1994, 1995, and 1996.

Our Government recognizes that our athletes are an enormous source of pride for all Canadians and serve as excellent role models for our young people.

We have maintained a record level of funding to the Canadian sport system—including our support for the Canadian Olympic Committee, winter national sport organizations, and Own the Podium—so that we can ensure our athletes reach the podium at every possible opportunity.

I encourage all Canadians to join me in congratulating Jean-Luc Brassard as he helps prepare our Canadian team for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. I also want to wish all of our elite athletes the best of luck as they continue their pursuit of excellence in preparation for the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage