Premier Christy Clark released the following statement on Burnaby native Christine Sinclair being awarded the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's top athlete:

"I can't think of a more deserving Lou Marsh Trophy winner than Christine Sinclair. During the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games, an entire nation watched with bated breath as Canada's Olympic women's soccer team took on the world. Christine's effort was almost superhuman, scoring goal after goal as she tried to will her team to victory - including those three in a single game, which left an indelible mark on us all.

"While I know the bronze medal wasn't their ultimate goal, I also know I speak for all British Columbians when I say we could not have been more proud.

"Congratulations, Christine. Your efforts did more than just make an entire country proud. When Canadians rallied around our Olympic women's soccer team, you showed a generation of girls they, too, can become sports heroes - ones worth believing in. That might be the greatest legacy of all."

Media contact:

Mike Morton
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 661-1015