Canada's Top Judo Athletes to Face Pan American Competitors in Edmonton

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - April 24, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today announced the Government of Canada is providing $120,000 to Judo Canada through Sport Canada's Hosting Program for the 2015 Pan American Judo Championships (Individual, Kata and Team) in Edmonton from April 24 to 26.

Quick Facts

• Hosting the 2015 Pan American Judo Championships (Individual, Kata and Team) will provide 17 Canadian high-performance athletes with an opportunity to evaluate their preparation against many of the same athletes they will be facing in a few months at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.
• It will also provide 9 Canadian coaches and 24 officials with a chance to further develop their skills and talents by working alongside world-class athletes.
• For the 2014-15 fiscal year, the Government of Canada contributed $1,121,000 to Judo Canada through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program.
• In 2014-15, the Government of Canada also provided $391,572 to 41 Judo athletes through Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program to provide them with living, training, education and special needs support and allow them to focus on their training.
• The Government of Canada places great importance on high-performance athletes, as well as healthy and active Canadians. In Economic Action Plan 2015, the Government doubled the Children's Fitness Tax Credit to $1,000 to help offset the costs of parents enrolling their children in organized sports. At the same time, it will be investing an additional $20 million into the next generation of high-performance Olympic and Paralympic athletes to ensure Canada's top athletes have what they need to push for the podium today and in the future.

Quotes

"We are pleased to support Judo Canada in hosting the 2015 Pan American Judo Championships. This event will provide our top Canadian athletes with an opportunity to face many of the same athletes they will compete against for podium spots in only a few months' time at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games. This is a huge advantage for our team and why our support for this event is so important. During the Year of Sport in Canada, we celebrate sport, our athletes and the role they play in helping define our identity as a leading sport nation."

-The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

"Judo Canada is delighted with the support of the Government of Canada through Sport Canada's Hosting Program. Thanks to this financial support, we can welcome the Americas for the 2015 Pan American Judo Championships in Edmonton. With delegates from 31 countries, this Olympic qualification event provides our Canadian athletes with the opportunity to compete on home soil against some of the world's best athletes."

-Mike Tamura, President, Judo Canada

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Sport

Judo Canada

2015 Pan American Judo Championships

Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games - Judo

Year of Sport in Canada

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