Canadian Olympic Committee Announces 2006

Carol Anne Letheren Leadership and Sport Scholarship Recipient

TORONTO, June 9, 2006 – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Carol Anne Letheren Foundation (CALF) announced today that Kelsey Campbell of Maple Ridge, British Columbia is the recipient of the 2006 Carol Anne Letheren Leadership and Sport Scholarship, a three-year, $4,500 post-secondary award.

Campbell, 17, is a Grade 12 student at Maple Ridge Secondary School and a high-performance water polo player who is enrolled in the University of British Columbia’s Bachelor of Commerce program for the 2006-07 academic year.

A member of the National Water Polo Team at the 2005 Youth Pan American Games, Campbell helped lead Canada to a silver medal while finishing fourth in tournament scoring.  Regarded as an elite multi-sport athlete, Campbell has also excelled as a player in field hockey, basketball, soccer and swimming while compiling an extensive list of achievements at the international, national and provincial level.  Among her notable accomplishments, Campbell has led British Columbia to three consecutive National Water Polo Championships (2004-06) and is a two-time recipient of the BC Water Polo Athlete of the Year award.

Set to graduate from Maple Ridge Secondary on June 10, Campbell is an accelerated student who has achieved Honour Roll status in the French Immersion program during each of her five years at the school.   A dedicated coach and volunteer, Campbell has also worked with several local swim and water polo clubs and has been honoured with numerous citizenship and sportsmanship awards.

“I am extremely honoured to be selected as the 2006 recipient of the Carol Anne Letheren Leadership and Sport Scholarship,” said Campbell.  “Sport has taught me the value of hard work, dedication and perseverance and I look forward to applying these principles during the next stage of my academic development at the University of British Columbia.”

The scholarship was created in memory of former COC Chief Executive Officer and International Olympic Committee member Carol Anne Letheren, who passed away in 2001.  It provides $1,500 per year for three years while the recipient is enrolled in a post-secondary Canadian institution.  The scholarship was developed by CALF and the COC to support young women who have demonstrated excellence in athletics, academics and leadership in the community.  Letheren was an ambassador in the advancement of women in sport and in the Canadian Olympic movement.

“Through her outstanding accomplishments in sport, academics and community service, Kelsey Campbell truly embodies the spirit of the Carol Anne Letheren Leadership and Sport Scholarship,” said Diane Chabot, Founder Member of CALF.  “On behalf of CALF and the COC, I’d like to congratulate Kelsey on receiving this honour and we look forward to following her continued development in both the classroom and the pool.”

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 .

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For further information contact:

Eric Michalko
Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
Phone: (416) 324-4146
Cell: (416) 528-6742

Email: emichalko@olympic.ca