British Columbia is well-represented on the Canadian Olympic Team with B.C.-connected athletes accounting for 40 per cent of the team.

B.C. Olympians in London will be competing in 22 sports during the Games, which open tomorrow and continue until Aug. 12. There are 110 athletes with a connection to British Columbia on the Canadian Olympic Team. Of those, 67 were born and raised in British Columbia, while the other 43 were born elsewhere, but receive substantial support through the B.C. sport system.

The B.C. contingent at the London 2012 Olympic Games also includes 52 coaches and technical staff, medical and support team members, as well as officials who call British Columbia home.

Victoria triathlete and Olympic gold medallist Simon Whitfield will magnify British Columbia's presence at the Opening Ceremony. In addition to his role as a competitor, Whitfield has the honour of leading the Canadian Olympic Team as flag-bearer.

Quotes:

Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"I join British Columbians everywhere in congratulating our Olympic athletes on their tremendous success as high-performance competitors."

"We invest substantial amounts of funding into sport in British Columbia - more than $50 million in the next year alone - and we couldn't be prouder of this group. I wish all our Olympic athletes the very best of luck at the Games."

Wendy Pattenden, CEO, Canadian Sport Centre Pacific -

"For a province that represents only 13 per cent of our national population, we are proud of the fact that B.C. will be sending 40 per cent of the athletes who make up the 2012 Olympic team."

"I am proud of the CSC Pacific team of sport science professionals who work together with the athletes, coaches and our sport partners to help win more medals for Canada, as B.C.-based athletes could bring home up to 50 per cent of Canada's medals in London."

Quick Facts:

• 277 athletes make up the Canadian Olympic Team.

• 40 per cent of the athletes representing Canada in London are either born and/or train in B.C.

• 96 coaches and technical staff lead the Canadian Olympic Team in London.

• 27 per cent of Canadian Olympic coaches and technical staff are from B.C.

• 36 medical staff are part of the team supporting the Canadian Olympic Team.

• 31 per cent of Canadian Olympic medical support staff are from B.C.

• 19 per cent of Canadian competition officials are from B.C.

• The Canadian Paralympic Committee will name the Canadian Paralympic Team in August.

Learn More:

Canadian Sport Centre Pacific: http://www.cscpacific.ca/

Canadian Olympic Committee: http://olympic.ca/

For a list of British Columbia-linked athletes on Canadian Olympic Team, visit: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/ministries/community_sport_and_cultural_development/British%20Columbia-linked%20athletes%20on%20Canadian%20Olympic%20Team.pdf

Contacts:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677
250 208-4028 (cell)

Scott Allen
Manager, Communications and Community Engagement
Canadian Sport Centre Pacific
778 327-4096
604 730-9625
sallen@cscpacific.ca