British Columbia athletes are ready to make their mark at the Sochi Olympic Games with a strong representation on the national team.

There are 41 athletes with a connection to B.C. on the Canadian Olympic team competing in 14 different sports. Of those, 30 were born in British Columbia, while the other 11 were born elsewhere but moved here to train and have received substantial support through B.C.'s sport sector.

The B.C. contingent of the national Olympic team also includes 10 coaches.

The XXII Olympic Winter Games open tomorrow and continue until Feb. 23.

Quotes:

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"B.C.'s high performance athletes are an amazing and dedicated group, and nowhere do they shine brighter than at the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

"We invest substantial amounts into sport in B.C.-over $50 million this year-and our Olympians and Paralympians are living proof of the success of our sport sector. I know all British Columbians join me in wishing the very best of luck to all of our athletes at the Games."

Wendy Pattenden, CEO, Canadian Sport Institute Pacific -

"For a province that represents only 13 per cent of our national population, we are proud of the fact that 19 per cent of the 2014 Canadian Olympic team will be comprised of athletes with a B.C. connection, which is an increase over our numbers at the 2010 Games."

"I am proud of the CSI Pacific team of sport science professionals who work together with the athletes, coaches and our sport partners to help win more medals for Canada. B.C.-based athletes brought home 23 per cent of Canada's Olympic medals in 2010 and we look to improve on that percentage for Sochi."

Quick Facts:

• 221 athletes make up the Canadian Olympic Team.
• 19 per cent of the athletes representing Canada in Sochi are either born and/or train in B.C.
• 16 of the 30 athletes who were born in British Columbia participated in the BC Games or Canada Games.
• 36 additional athletes take advantage of the 2010 legacy facilities that make Whistler an excellent place for training camp.
• 85 coaches and technical staff lead the Canadian Olympic Team in Sochi.
• 12 per cent of Canadian Olympic coaches and technical staff are from B.C.
• The Canadian Paralympic Committee will name the Canadian Paralympic Team later in February.
• In 2010, Canadian athletes won 26 medals at the Vancouver Olympic Games: 14 gold, seven silver, five bronze.

Learn More:

For a complete list of British Columbia-linked athletes on the Canadian Olympic Team, visit Canadian Sport Institute Pacific: http://www.csipacific.ca/content/MediaCentre/Events/2014OlympicWinterGames.asp

For more information on the Canadian Olympic Team, visit Canadian Olympic Committee: http://olympic.ca/

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 387-4089

Canadian Sport Institue Pacific
Marina Hawkeswood
Manager, Communications
250 802-8466