#35Mstrong Social Campaign to Unite Canadians Behind Team Canada at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games

GATINEAU, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - Aug. 2, 2016) - Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, today encouraged all 35 million Canadians, from coast to coast to coast, to unite on August 4, 2016 to send a virtual fist bump-a universal sign of support-to the Canadian athletes who will represent us at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

We are asking all Canadians to:

1. Take a creative picture or video of themselves or their family and friends giving a fist bump to our athletes.
2. Post the pic to Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and tag it with #35Mstrong (or #lepaysavecvous in French). If not a picture, post a message of support to Twitter or Facebook, and add a fist bump emoji and the #35Mstrong hashtag.
3. Encourage others to do the same!

Let's get behind our athletes and celebrate them and the memories they create for all of us. Let's unite as one team, #35Mstrong!

Quick Facts

• With the support of 35 million Canadians from coast to coast to coast, the Government of Canada is the single largest investor in our country's sport system-and our athletes. When our athletes do well, we should know that we all had a hand in that accomplishment.
• The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be another chapter in our country's rich sporting history; another chance to celebrate sport's contribution to our national identity; and another opportunity to be inspired by our athletes' accomplishments. The stories of our athletes will inspire us all, especially our young people, as they get replayed in backyards, playgrounds, arenas and other facilities across the country for many years to come.

Quotes

"Along with all Canadians, I'm so excited for the athletes and coaches who will represent us all at the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. They need to know that although thousands of kilometres separate us at home from Team Canada in Rio, we are all behind them-35 million strong-and we look forward to the stories they are about to tell with their performances at the Games. As August 4 marks the start of the 150-day countdown to the launch of celebrations for the 150^th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, this is a special moment to honour our sporting history-and future."

-The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Rio2016-Games

Canada.ca/Sport

Canadian Olympic Committee

Canadian Paralympic Committee

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