March 1, 2006- Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) announced today the 253 athletes (141 men and 112 women) selected for the Canadian Team to compete at the XVIII Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia from March 15 to 26.

« We are delighted to be able to send such a great team down to Melbourne. Canada is always a great competitor at the Games because our athletes have made sacrifices and dedicated years to their sport. We are looking forward to great performances! » stated Claude Bennett, President of CGC.

The athletes will be supported by a support staff totaling 146, comprising team management, coaches, medical and sports science support, including doctors and physiotherapists. “We have an amazing team formed with young and older athletes which all have the goals to achieve great results, personal bests but more importantly, getting an extraordinary experience! Our mission staff have been planning for over a year now and we can feel the excitement” commented Chef de Mission Ross Outerbridge.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate all the outstanding athletes who have been selected to represent Canada at the upcoming Commonwealth Games,” said Minister Chong. “Our athletes have always performed well at the Commonwealth Games, and I wish them and their coaches the very best at the upcoming competitions. They are important role models for all Canadians to become involved in sport and to enjoy the many benefits of an active lifestyle.”

Today, Hbc is hosting a Team Rally Event in Toronto at 12:00 pm, on the concourse level of First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West. For more information about the event and Team Canada, please visit our website at www.commonwealthgames.ca .

Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is a not-for-profit multi-sport organization that is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and is therefore responsible for submitting a single Candidate Bid City to the Commonwealth Games Federation. Since 1930, CGC has been strengthening sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a tool for development. For further information about Team Canada, the 2006 Commonwealth Games or our International Development through Sport programs, please visit our web site at www.commonwealthgames.ca.