Media Releases
June 14, 2005
TEAM MANITOBA’S CANADA GAMES HONOURARY TEAM CAPTAINS ANNOUNCED
WINNIPEG – Sport Manitoba announced today that the Chicago Blackhawks 2004 first round draft pick, Cam Barker and two-time Olympic swimmer, Rhiannon Leier are the honourary team captains for Team Manitoba’s 2005 Canada Summer Games team.
"I’m thrilled to have the experience of two of Manitoba’s most successful athletes inspiring Team Manitoba’s 2005 Canada Games team," says Ted Bigelow, Team Manitoba’s Chef de Mission.
Barker and Leier will use their national and international experience to help prepare and motivate Manitoba’s 359 athletes as they head to Regina to compete at the Canada Summer Games, August 6th to 20th.
Barker, 19, was the captain for Manitoba’s hockey team at the 2003 Canada Winter Games in Bathhurst, New Brunswick. He currently plays for the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers and was a member of the 2005 Team Canada World Junior Hockey Championships team. He says he’s excited to share his experiences with Manitoba’s athletes.
"I hope that some of the lessons I’ve learned while competing will help Manitoba’s athletes to compete at their best," says Barker.
Along with attending the 2000 and 2004 Olympics and the 2002 Commonwealth Games, Leier, 28, also represented Manitoba at the1993 Canada Summer Games in Kamloops, British Columbia. From a variety of games experience she has many stories to share with Manitoba’s athletes.
"Competing at a multi-sport event is different than any other competition," says Leier. "There are many distractions and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. I want to prepare our athletes for that."
The Canada Summer Games is a national multi-sport competition for Canadian youth held every four years. This summer’s Games include 16 sports and 18 events with athletes participating from the ten provinces and three territories. More information on Team Manitoba and the 2005 Canada Summer Games can be found at www.sportmanitoba.ca/programs/teammanitoba.php.
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For more information, contact:
Barry Moroz
Sport Manitoba Communications
925-5903
