January 10, 2006 — With just one month to go before the start of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, the updated results from the 2005-06 winter World Cup events indicate that Canada continues to remain on track to achieve its goal of being one of the top three nations in Turin, Italy.

From the start of the season, through last weekend’s competitions, Canada ranks second overall in the number of total 2005-06 World Cup medals won with 107 (accomplished in a nation-leading 39 events and nine sports). Germany continues to lead all nations with 120 podium finishes (36 events and 11 sports) followed by Canada, the United States of America with 100 (36 events and 10 sports), Russia with 66 (28 events and eight sports) and Austria with 60 (19 events and six sports).

Overall, Canada’s current medal haul of 107 in 2005-06 is 22 ahead of the pace set in 2004-05 and 33 ahead of the pace set in 2003-04.

The Canadian Olympic Committee’s (COC) findings were compiled using the results of the 73 events on the 2006 Olympic Winter Games program which have been contested on the World Cup or Grand Prix circuit to date. The 2006 Games in Turin will feature a total of 84 events in 15 disciplines.

“Canada’s consistent and unprecedented podium success during the 2005-06 World Cup season is extremely encouraging as we stand 31 days out from the opening ceremony,” said COC Director of International Performance, Alex Gardiner. “The Canadian Olympic Committee is extremely pleased with the increasing number of Canadian athletes achieving podium performances this winter and we remain focused on achieving a top-three finish in Turin.”

Last season, World Championship podium performances indicated that Canada was on target for a top-three finish at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games after ranking third overall in terms of total medals won at 2005 World Championship events.

Canada’s 2005 World Championship medal tally of 28 trailed only Norway and Germany which captured 33 and 32 medals respectively. The United States ranked fourth with 25 while Russia finished fifth with 20.

In 2002, Canada finished fourth at the Olympic Winter Games with 17 total medals after garnering a fifth-best total of 18 medals in 2001 World Championship events.

The Canadian Olympic Committee is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to sport excellence. It is responsible for all aspects of Canada’s involvement in the Olympic movement, including Canada’s participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games and a wide variety of programs that promote the Olympic Movement in Canada through cultural and educational means. For more information, see the COC website: www.olympic.ca.