NEWS: News Release
March 27, 2009
HONOURING ONTARIO’S ATHLETES
McGuinty Government Celebrates Athletes One Year From Vancouver 2010
Minister Best and recipients and guests of the 2008 Ontario Sport Awards
NEWS
Ontario’s top amateur athletes were honoured at the 2008 Ontario Sport Awards last night in Toronto.
Of the 55 athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and sponsors that were recognized for sport excellence, four athletes received top honours:
- Eric Lamaze, Male Athlete of the Year, Equestrian
- Karen Cockburn, Female Athlete of the Year, Gymnastics
- Jason Dunkerley, Male Athlete with a Disability of the Year, Para-Athletics
- Chelsey Gotell, Female Athlete with a Disability of the Year, Swimming
These athletes contributed to the medal count at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, where Ontario brought home 11 of the 18 medals captured by Canada at the Summer Olympics, and 10 of the 50 medals won by Canadians at the Summer Paralympics.
QUOTES
“The McGuinty government is very proud of the accomplishments of our athletes, and of the ongoing help from coaches, volunteers and sponsors, who support our athletes in their quest for excellence.”
— Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion
“The Sport Alliance of Ontario is very proud of the achievements of Ontario athletes this past year and for the assistance given to them by coaches and volunteers. The support of the McGuinty government through programs such as Ontario Games and Team Ontario ensures that our athletes have every opportunity to realize their potential.”
— Dr. Michael Murphy, Chair, Sport Alliance of Ontario
“I am thrilled to be recognized by Ontario for my achievements, and proud to live in a province that helps athletes achieve their goals.”
— Karen Cockburn, Female Athlete of the Year, Gymnastics
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario has committed $2.5 million to Own the Podium, a national program assigned to help Canada’s winter athletes reach the podium at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
- Ontario has invested $701,300 in the Road to Excellence program that helped Canada’s summer athletes finish in the top 16 in the medal standings at the 2008 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing.
- The Ontario Sport Awards have been honouring outstanding achievement in Ontario amateur sport since 1965 and is the highest honour the province provides to recognize excellence in sport.
LEARN MORE
Think you have what it takes to be a recipient of the province’s Ontario Sport Awards?
Find out more!
For more information on the recipients, please see the attached backgrounder.
Dipika Damerla, Minister’s Office, 416-326-8497
Julie Rosenberg, Communications, 416-326-4833
