Statement by the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), on the Closing Ceremony of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND--(Marketwired - Aug. 3, 2014) -

As the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games officially come to a close, I would like to offer my most heartfelt congratulations to our entire Canadian Team on their successes at these Games.

Our athletes embodied the Commonwealth Games values of humility, equality and destiny, and many of their outstanding performances resulted in spectacular podium finishes. Canada won 82 medals in total, and ranked third in the final standings with 32 gold medals.

I was honoured to attend the Games and cheer on our athletes. I would like to thank Team Canada's biggest fans-their families and friends-for making such a vital contribution to the achievements of our athletes.

Tonight, our Canadian Team will join with teams representing 71 nations and territories at the closing ceremony at Hampden Park, where all athletes will come together in a celebration of their remarkable accomplishments. Congratulations to Sultana Frizell who will carry the Canadian flag at the Closing Ceremony. She won gold in the hammer throw event and is a talented athlete, a fierce competitor and a wonderful ambassador for sport in Canada.

Our Government is proud to support Commonwealth Games Canada and the athletes who made up the Canadian team. Along with all Canadians across the country, we congratulate them on their outstanding achievements and celebrate their contributions to the world of sport.

The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in Canada, investing nearly $200 million a year in Canada's athletes and sport organizations to provide them with the resources and tools they need to compete and win on the international stage.

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