Toronto, ON, June 23, 2009 – A select group of Canadian Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls inched closer to a possible podium standing in Vancouver today with the introduction of the Molson Canadian Fund a Champion campaign, which will see the brewer commit up to $20,000 each to a group of 10 emerging athletes from across Canada to help them close the competitive gap in their respective sports heading into the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The 10 designated athletes (seven Olympians and three Paralympians) represent Canada’s four regions: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Western provinces. Each athlete will receive an initial $8,000 from the Molson Donation Fund, in support of the company’s Active Lifestyles and Healthy Communities pillar. Molson will then call upon its employees to “adopt” the athletes by encouraging staff to raise funds in their names through a calendar of fundraising and community events, such as BBQ’s and sports tournaments, from which proceeds will flow directly to the daily needs of the athletes. Molson Canadian will then match all employee donations, bringing the per athlete total to $20,000.

“Molson has a long-standing tradition of supporting the communities in which it operates – a tradition that dates back to our founder, John Molson,” said Scott Cooper, Vice President, Molson Canadian. “Part of creating healthy, vibrant communities is investing in philanthropic giving and employee volunteerism to enable young adults to live active lifestyles. Our involvement in Vancouver 2010 is an extension of this ideal on the international stage. Molson and its 3,000 employees are committing dollars to the dreams of our athletes to help make them a reality. With less than a year to the Games, our support is crucial for their final stages of intensive training.”

Molson Canadian Fund a Champion Athletes:

• Mark Arendz – Paralympic Nordic Skiing – Hartsville, PEI
• Brittany Webster – Cross-Country Skiing – Caledon, Ontario
• Billy Bridges – Sledge Hockey – Mississauga, Ontario
• Jeff Batchelor – Snowboard – Oakville, Ontario
• François-Louis Tremblay – Short Track Speed Skating – Montreal, Quebec
• Joannie Rochette – Figure Skating – Île Dupas, Quebec
• Jean Labonté – Sledge Hockey – Gatineau, Quebec
• Denny Morrison – Speed Skating – Calgary, Alberta
• Tom Velisek – Snowboard – Vernon, BC
• Melissa Hollingsworth – Skeleton – Eckville, Alberta

“As an Olympian, I can tell you it takes more than athletic ability, passion and commitment to reach the podium, it takes a true team effort,” said Jennifer Button, Program Manager, Marketing, Canadian Olympic Committee and 2000 Olympic swimmer. “Partners like Molson Canadian make it possible for our athletes to train harder, push further and dream bigger to be their best in 2010.”

Five-time Canadian women’s figure skating champion, 2009 World silver medalist and 2010 medal hopeful Joannie Rochette added: “The vital backing that I receive from the Molson Canadian Fund a Champion campaign not only takes the form of financial support, but also moral support. I am extremely proud to be associated with a company that has such a long and rich tradition of being committed to Canadian sport.”

Athlete selection followed a general call for submissions disseminated by the Winter National Sport Federations in March, 2009. From the initial pool of submissions, final athletes were chosen by a selection committee composed of Molson, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Canadian Olympic Foundation. The primary criteria for selection focused on story telling: athletes were asked to share specifically how the funds would be used to help them achieve their goals at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

What came through loud and clear was the need to improve basic equipment and daily training requirements, which in the case of Joannie Rochette means new skates and costumes, extra ice time and additional choreography sessions, among other things.

“There’s a reason they award you a gold medal when you become Olympic champion – it does cost more to reach the pinnacle of your sport and stay there. Everything from better equipment, to instruction, and greater access to world-class competition. Molson’s generous donation will be put to work right away to help me increase the intensity of my training and preparation for the Games. It couldn’t come at a better time.”

To be considered for the program all athletes had to be senior national team member(s) and in good standing with the winter National Sport Federation included on the official program of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games or the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. In addition, all athletes have to be of legal drinking age in their province of residence.

In addition to its internal fundraising efforts, Molson Canadian will also provide an opportunity for consumers to help fund champions with a commemorative Olympic pin, from which they’ll collect donations in the amount of $20.10 for its Canadian Olympians and Paralympians (for two pins.) Visit http://blog.molson.com/community to learn more.
Molson employees celebrated the news today and commemorated International Olympic Day with a series of Olympic barbecues at each of their breweries and sales offices across Canada, complete with Fund a Champion athlete appearances.