News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PM accepts Olympic and Paralympic medals on behalf of Canadians

February 28, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was today presented with a set of Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals, the same given to athletes at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. He was also presented with a pair of Olympic torches, one signed by Canada's Olympic gold medal winners and the other by members of the men's gold medal-winning hockey team.

Representing Canadian athletes at today's ceremony were Tessa Bonhomme, member of the women's gold medal hockey team, and Guillaume Bastille, gold medal winner for short track speed skating. Their performances at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games were an inspiration to Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

"Our Government is tremendously proud of Canada's Olympic athletes and their medal wins," said Prime Minister Harper. "With the outstanding work of the Organizing Committee, the First Nations, and the cities of Vancouver and Whistler, Canadian athletes stood on the world stage and the world took notice. We will continue to support sporting excellence in Canada from the playground to the podium."

The set of Olympic and Paralympic medals were presented to the Prime Minister by John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), while the two Olympic torches were presented by Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

At the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada won a record 14 gold medals - the most ever by a Winter Olympics host country - including the first Canadian gold medal on home soil.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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