January 15, 2004 – Students at John Fisher Public School had the opportunity today to learn about Canadian Olympic Values from two of CanadaÃŒs best athletes.  An interactive session with triathlete Simon Whitfield, Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medallist,  Maryse Turcotte, world bronze medallist in weightlifting, and French immersion students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 launched the Athens 2004 Canadian Olympic Education Program presented by RBC Financial Group.

“The Canadian Olympic Education Program introduces students to the ideals of the Olympic Games, and reinforces the importance of striving for your best both in the classroom and in life.,” says Whitfield. “I believe that sharing my experiences in sport and in life is a great way to motivate kids and to help them do the best they can every day.”

The students participated in a question and answer session, and tried to lift a weight similar to the weight Turcotte lifted to win a bronze at the World Championships in Vancouver in November 2003.

“It was great to see the students interacting with the Olympic athletes,” said Chris Rudge, CEO, Canadian Olympic Committee. “This program was developed by teachers for teachers, and is designed to help make learning fun and relevant by linking Olympic Values and themes to the existing curriculum for students in Grades Four to Six.”

The Canadian Olympic Education Program is sent free by the Canadian Olympic Committee to more than 12,000 elementary schools across Canada, and brings Olympic themes and information into the classroom.  It is designed to teach children about Canadian Olympic ideals, values, the history of the Olympic Games and a healthy lifestyle while generating excitement for the upcoming Olympic Games in Athens.

The 2004 Canadian Olympic Education Program features new components, including support from presenting sponsor RBC Financial Group, the involvement of Athlete Champions Whitfield and Turcotte, and a focus on health and nutrition through the Olympic Resource Kit Activity Poster.

The Canadian Olympic Education Program was created in the mid-eighties by the Calgary Olympic Winter Games organizing committee and distributed to schools in Alberta.  Beginning in 1987 the program was introduced nationally by the Canadian Olympic Committee, and has since involved hundreds of thousands of students from across Canada.