March 30, 2006 – Join the who’s who of Canadian amateur sport as the True Sport Foundation announces the winners of the 33rd Annual Canadian Sport Awards (CSA), presented by Investors Group. For the first time ever, the general public is invited to participate in this celebration of excellence in Canadian amateur sport.

WHAT: Public awards ceremony to announce and honour the winners of the 33rd Annual Canadian Sport Awards for achievement in amateur sport in 2005.

WHO: Event hosts and emcees Scott Russell, CBC Sports and Sylvie Bigras, former CEO of Volleyball Canada and Canadian Olympic Chef de Mission, will be joined by athletes and sport leaders
including:

– Pierre Lueders – 2006 Olympic silver medallist in two-man bobsled.
– Brandon O’Neill – 2005 Artistic Gymnastic World Championship silver medalist
– Colin Russell – Member of Canada’s 4x200m Freestyle relay team
– Members of the World Men’s Curling Championship Team
– Members of the Men’s National Standing Volleyball Team
– Members of the National A Team – Synchro Canada
– Brian Bunney – President, Speed Skating Canada

WHERE: Yonge Dundas Square, Downtown Toronto

WHEN: Friday, March 31, 2006 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Following the awards ceremony, the doors to the Olympic Spirit
Toronto attraction (located at the east side of the square) will
be thrown open to the public free of charge from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information visit www.canadiansportawards.ca

The schedule for the 33rd Annual Canadian Sport Awards will be as follows:

– 5:00pm – 6:00pm 33rd Annual Canadian Sport Awards Yonge/Dundas Square

– 6:00pm – 9:00pm Olympic Spirit Toronto Open House 35 Dundas Street

Join master of ceremonies Sylvie Bigras, and some of Canada’s finest amateur athletes as Investors Group presents the 33rd Canadian Sport Awards.

The public is invited to the Olympic Spirit Toronto open house to experience the interactive sports simulators and get up close and personal with Canadian Sport Award winners from past and present.

True Sport Foundation Announces Finalists for 33rd Annual Canadian Sport Awards

The True Sport Foundation recently announced the finalists in five award categories for the 33rd Annual Canadian Sport Awards (CSA), presented by Investors Group. The 33rd Annual Canadian Sport Awards recognize achievement in amateur sport in 2005.

The five award categories are: Athletic Performance, Leadership in Sport, Corporate Excellence, Investors Group Spirit of Sport Story of the Year and Bell True Sport Community Award. Independent juries selected the Athletic Performance, Leadership and Corporate Award finalists from nominations from sports associations and individuals across Canada.

CSA 2005 Finalists

Athletic Performance Awards
The finalists in the Athletic Performance category for the 33rd Annual Canadian Sport Awards, recognizing and celebrating outstanding athletic performance in 2005 are:

Male Athlete of the Year
-Alexandre Despatie, Diving
-Brandon O’Neill, Gymnastics
-Adam van Koeverden, Kayaking

Female Athlete of the Year
-Karen Furneaux, Kayaking
-Cindy Klassen, Speed Skating
-Brittany Reimer, Swimming

Junior Male Athlete of the Year
-Patrick Chan, Figure Skating
-Jason McClintock, Waterski
-Denny Morrison, Speed Skating

Junior Female Athlete of the Year
-Whitney McClintock, Waterski
-Kalyna Roberge, Speed Skating

Male Team of the Year
-World Men’s Curling Championship Team
-Men’s National Standing Volleyball Team
-Men’s World Championship Hockey Team

Female Team of the Year
-National Women’s Water Polo Team
-National A Team – Synchro Canada
-Women’s World Championship Hockey Team

Partners of the Year
-Pierre Lueders/ Lascelle Brown, Bobsleigh
-Men’s 4×200 Relay Team, Swimming
-Men’s Short Track Relay Team, Speed Skating

Leadership Awards
The finalists in the Leadership Awards category for the 33rd Annual
Canadian Sport Awards, recognizing and celebrating an individual’s
outstanding contribution to the betterment of sport in 2005 are:

Athlete Leadership Award
-Lori Johnstone, Athletes CAN
-Dan Thompson, President of Swimming Canada

Volunteer Achievement Award
-Slava Corn, Vice President, Int. Gymnastics Federation (FIG)
-Executive Committee
-Hardy Fink, International Gymnastics Federation
-Dr. Donald McKenzie, Chair of the ICF (Int. Canoe Federation) Medical Committee

Leadership in Sport Award
-Mark Lowry, Canadian Olympic Committee (Posthumous)
-Speed Skating Canada
-Chris Wilson, Esteem Team Association

Coach of the Year Award
-Jan Bidrman, National Sports Centre Calgary
-Michel Larouche, Diving Canada
-Patrick Oaten, Water Polo Canada

Corporate Excellence Awards
This year’s finalists for the Corporate Excellence Awards for the
33rd Annual Canadian Sport Awards, recognizing and celebrating
corporations who provided outstanding support to Canadian sport in
2005, are:

National Team Support Award
-Canada Post
-Haywood Securities
-Mazda Canada

Individual Athlete Support
-VISA

National Initiative Support
-EPCOR
-Honda Canada
-Speedo Canada

Investors Group Spirit of Sport Story of the Year
The finalists for the Spirit of Sport Story of the Year Award,
created to recognize and celebrate a Canadian hero who, in the
pursuit of sporting excellence, has demonstrated values such as
dedication, perseverance, sportsmanship, respect for others and a
true love of sport in 2005, are:

Men’s National Standing Volleyball Team
-Nick Snow, Toronto Varsity Blues
-Right To Play (Groves/Hughes/Dankers)