Prime Minister Stephen Harper accepts Olympic and Paralympic medals on behalf of Canadians

February 28, 2011

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper was today presented with a set of Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals, the same given to athletes at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. He was also presented with a pair of Olympic torches, one signed by Canada's Olympic gold medal winners and the other by members of the men’s gold medal-winning hockey team.

Representing Canadian athletes at today's ceremony were Tessa Bonhomme, member of the women’s gold medal hockey team, and Guillaume Bastille, gold medal winner for short track speed skating. Their performances at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games were an inspiration to Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

“Our Government is tremendously proud of Canada’s Olympic athletes and their medal wins,” said Prime Minister Harper. “With the outstanding work of the Organizing Committee, the First Nations, and the cities of Vancouver and Whistler, Canadian athletes stood on the world stage and the world took notice. We will continue to support sporting excellence in Canada from the playground to the podium.”

The set of Olympic and Paralympic medals were presented to the Prime Minister by John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), while the two Olympic torches were presented by Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

At the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada won a record 14 gold medals - the most ever by a Winter Olympics host country - including the first Canadian gold medal on home soil.




Backgrounder
OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC MEDALS

Today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, on behalf of all Canadians, accepted an official set of Olympic and Paralympic medals from John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). The Prime Minister also accepted two Olympic torches from Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee, one signed by Canada's Olympic gold medalists and the other by our men’s gold medal hockey team.

Also in attendance were Tessa Bonhomme, member of the women’s gold medal hockey Team, and Guillaume Bastille, gold medal winner for short track speed skating.

The medals and torches are gifts to all Canadians to commemorate the resounding success of the Games and the remarkable contributions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Designed by Corrine Hunt, a Canadian artist whose work reflects the themes of her First Nations Komoyue and Tlingit heritage, and Omer Arbel, a Canadian industrial designer and architect, the medals for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games showcase our outstanding Canadian talent.

The 2010 Olympic medals are unique as they are the first to have an undulating (wavy) form and no two designs are the same - reflecting each athlete’s individual story and achievement. The 615 Olympic and 399 Paralympic medals were produced by the world-class Royal Canadian Mint, bonding Canadians from across the country in helping make every aspect of the Vancouver Games a Canadian success story.

Approximately 2,600 athletes from 82 nations competed at the Olympic Winter Games, where Canadian athletes won an outstanding total of 26 medals. Canada led the gold medal count with 14 - the most ever by a Winter Olympics host country - and won an additional seven silver and five bronze. A total of 506 athletes from 44 nations competed in the Paralympic Winter Games and Canadian athletes won an additional 19 medals including 10 gold.

Both the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games were organized by VANOC and held from February 12 to 28, 2010 and March 12 to 21, 2010, respectively.