Statement by the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), on the Announcement of the Nominees to the 2014 Canadian Olympic Bobsleigh Team

OTTAWA, Dec. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the bobsleigh athletes who were named today to the 2014 Canadian Olympic Team.

The athletes named to the 2014 Olympic team are Olympic bronze medal-winning pilot, Lyndon Rush, as well as David Bissett, Lascelles Brown, Neville Wright, Chris Spring, Jesse Lumsden, Cody Sorensen, Ben Coakwell, Justin Kripps, James McNaughton, Tim Randall, Bryan Barnett and Graeme Rinholm. Reigning Olympic women's champions, Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse along with Jenny Ciochetti, and Chelsea Valois were also named to the team. Four athletes, Luke Demetre, Sam Giguere, Emily Baadsvik, and Kate O'Brien, are still vying for the final two positions that will be confirmed in January.

Our athletes are an enormous source of pride for all Canadians. That is why our Government is proud to provide continued support for Olympic sports and our Canadian Olympic and athletes who will proudly represent our great nation on the world stage.

As Minister of State (Sport), I wish all these athletes the very best of success as they prepare to represent Canada this coming February in Sochi, Russia. This is an incredible milestone in your sport careers and all Canadians will be cheering for you and your teammates this winter in your pursuit of world-class athletic excellence at the Olympic Winter Games.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage