Canadian athletes pay it forward through the rbc olympian grant program - August 17th, 2012

Dartmouth, N.S. — RBC Olympians Andrew and Ben Russell are giving back to their community by choosing Banook Canoe Club to receive $10,000 through the RBC Olympians Grant Program.  For the first time, RBC is offering its 37 Olympic and Paralympic athletes the opportunity to give back to their communities through the organizations and people who have impacted their lives.

The RBC Olympian Grant Program provides athletes with a $5,000 grant to give to an athletic association, community group or charity that has fostered their love of sport, helped them realize their Olympic/Paralympic aspirations, or has touched their lives. Athletes will present their grants to the recipient groups and organizations in their communities leading-up to and following the 2012 London Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Banook Canoe Club held a club BBQ to announce the grant.

“My path to the Olympic Games was not a solo journey. It involved the support and guidance of many to help me realize and pursue my dreams,” says Andrew Russell, RBC Olympian and 2008 Beijing Olympian, who helped present the $10,000 grant to Banook Canoe Club.

“Banook Canoe Club has helped us so much over the years on and off the water. We’re thrilled to be able to give the next generation of young athletes the chance to do the same,” added Ben Russell, RBC Olympian and Canadian Canoe Team member.

Banook Canoe Club, founded in 1903, is one Canada’s premiere paddling clubs. Banook is committed to offering excellent programs to the community in dragon boat, sprint canoe and kayaks, war canoe, and swimming. 

“Our Olympic and Paralympic athletes demonstrate that the power of sport can inspire youth and bring Canadians together,” says Kim Mason, Regional President, Atlantic Provinces, RBC. “The RBC Olympian Grant Program is a unique initiative that exemplifies our commitment to our athletes by giving them the chance to personally acknowledge those that helped them achieve success on the world podium and become the national role models they are today.”

As Canada’s longest standing corporate supporter of the Canadian Olympic Team, RBC has been helping amateur athletes since 1947. Through the RBC Olympian program, athletes act as community ambassadors across the country by sharing their Olympic and Paralympic Games experiences and future aspirations with schools, community groups, RBC clients and employees.

To recognize that every Olympic and Paralympic athlete is the pride of their hometown, RBC will be launching a national campaign to connect Canadians with their hometown heroes who will be competing in London this summer. RBC will encourage the nation to show its support by participating in a cross-country initiative that will allow Canadians from coast-to-coast to cheer for our athletes as they make their way to the London and celebrate their achievements when they return home from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Full details about the campaign will be announced shortly.

More information on the RBC Olympians can be found at:

www.rbc.com/community-sustainability/community/olympic-sponsors/rbc-olympians.html

RBC and Amateur Sport

As Canada’s longest-standing supporter of the Canadian Olympic Team since 1947, RBC proudly continues its sponsorship through to London 2012, Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016. RBC also sponsored the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. Supporting amateur sport, from grassroots programs in local communities to national sport associations, RBC helps in the development of amateur athletes who compete at home and abroad. RBC is also a premier sponsor of Hockey Canada, the Canadian Snowboard Team, the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team, Athletics Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee. Visit www.rbc.com/sponsorship.

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For more information, please contact:

Trish Vardy, Public Affairs, Atlantic Region, RBC

(902) 421-4105

trish.vardy@rbc.com

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