BELL CANADA EXPANDS SPONSORSHIP OF AMATEUR ATHLETES
By Adnews Staff
Bell Canada has upgraded its Bell Athletes Connect program to include a seven-year sponsorship of Athletes CAN, an association that represents approximately 1,800 amateur athletes nationally. The telecommunications company will supply $5 million annually in hardware, airtime and Internet access to senior team athletes who compete in the Olympic, Paralympic, Aboriginal, Pan American and Commonwealth Games. Eight athletes will act as spokespersons for the program: Jeff Adams, Cassie Campbell, Alexandre Despatie, Perdita Felicien, Clara Hughes, Daniel Igali, Chantal Petitclerc and Beckie Scott. "There has been a lot of buzz about athlete funding and support but not much action," said Athletes CAN president Michael Smith. "This generous offering is a strong signal of leadership and will hopefully inspire others to step up as well." Bell Canada has sponsored Athletes CAN since 1997.