Media Advisory: Canada's Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities to Attend the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 29, 2016) - The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, will attend the 2016 Olympic Games from August 2 to 9 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Rio 2016 Olympic Games will take place from August 5 to 21 and will include 10,500 athletes from 205 countries. With the support of the Canadian Olympic Committee and our summer national sport organizations, Canada will field a team of 313 athletes in 37 sports, along with 205 coaches and support staff.

The Government of Canada is proud to be the single largest investor in our country's sport system, with significant investments in Canada's able-bodied and parasport athletes. We make these investments on behalf of Canadians because we know the impact our athletes have in encouraging all Canadians-especially our young people-to get involved in sport and recreation, and even inspiring some to chase their own podium dreams.

As Canada looks ahead to the 150^th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Rio 2016 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 the accomplishments of our athletes.

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"I will join 35 million Canadians in proudly cheering on our athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Our athletes have spent years and countless hours working toward this moment, and I encourage all Canadians to unite as one team to cheer them on and share in their success."

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