Supporting the 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup (Open Water) Lac St-Jean

ROBERVAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - July 24, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Member of Parliament (Roberval-Lac-Saint-Jean), today announced $50,000 in funding for Swimming Canada. Minister Lebel made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport).

This funding, provided through Sport Canada's Hosting Program, supports the 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup (Open Water) Lac St-Jean, part of the Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean. The event was held in Roberval on July 23.

Quick Facts

• The men's and women's 10km marathon has been presented since 2007 and is a stage of the Fédération internationale de natation (FINA)10 km Marathon Swimming World Cup.
• Swimming Canada serves as the national governing body of competitive swimming. It includes 75,000 members and 400 swim clubs across the country. Canadians are global leaders in high-performance swimming and development for both able-bodied swimmers and swimmers with disabilities.
• Between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, the Government of Canada provided $992,000 through Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program to support 76 Canadian swimmers with living and training expenses. The Government of Canada contributed more than $5.5 million to Swimming Canada in 2015-16 through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program for programs and services that have a direct impact on athlete development.
• The Government of Canada places great importance on high-performance athletes, as well as healthy and active Canadians. In Economic Action Plan 2015, it doubled the Children's Fitness Tax Credit to $1,000 to help offset the costs of parents enrolling their children in organized sports.
• Starting in 2016-17, the Government of Canada will invest up to an additional $20 million into the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes to ensure they have what they need to push for the podium, now and in the future.

Quotes

"Our talented swimmers are lucky to be able to take part in such a competition in Canada. As this is the Year of Sport, the Government of Canada takes even more pride in helping athletes compete in front of a home crowd in Lac St-Jean. Hopefully Canadians will be wowed by their speed and endurance and will be inspired to improve their own athletic performances and maintain an active lifestyle. Best of luck to all the athletes, organizers and volunteers."

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

"Hosting this World Cup event in our region provides our athletes with an opportunity to improve their times and aim for the podium in front of their family and friends. We're proud to host the world's top open water swimmers and show them our warm and welcoming spirit. I'd like to encourage our community to take part in this important event to encourage swimmers from Canada and around the world."

-The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Member of Parliament (Roberval-Lac-Saint-Jean)

"These are tremendous investments in sport, and the community as a whole. Holding these events on Canadian soil inspires future generations while bringing together the current ones. We thank the Government of Canada for the investment in this event, as we know it will pay dividends for years to come."

-Ahmed El Awadi, CEO, Swimming Canada

Associated Links

Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean

Swimming Canada

Sport Canada

Year of Sport in Canada

Children's Fitness Tax Credit

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