2012 Olympic Summer Games

Canadian Olympic Team Welcomes Modern Pentathlon Nominees

Two more athletes nominated to 2012
Canadian Olympic Team

June 6, 2012

VANCOUVER – Pentathlon Canada announced two athletes nominated to the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team today. Melanie McCann (Parkhill, On) and Donna Vakalis (Toronto) will represent Canada in London in the Modern Pentathlon event.

“It is fun to watch the list of 2012 Team nominees grow,” said 2012 Canadian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Mark Tewksbury. “This exceptional group of athletes is going to make Canada proud in London.”

“Welcome to the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team,” said 2012 Canadian Olympic Team Assistant Chef de Mission and 1984 Olympic gold medal diver Sylvie Bernier. “You have earned this nomination through years of hard work. Congratulations!”

“It’s very exciting to be part of the Canadian Olympic Team,” said McCann. “I’m going to give my everything to get prepared and make Canadians proud.”

“The Olympic Games are the dream of every high performance athlete,” said Vakalis. “I am so proud to be representing Canada in London this summer.”

“The athletes of the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team are our heroes,” said Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut. “They give their everything to train and perfect their skills so they can compete against the best in the world. We can all be proud of this magnificent group of athletes.”

“Pentathlon Canada is very proud of our two newest Olympians. Now that the pressure of qualifying is over for both women, they can focus on fine-tuning their performances for the Olympics where they will compete in five demanding disciplines with the support and guidance of their experienced and dedicated coaches,” added Pentathlon Canada President Angela Ives.

About the Canadian Olympic Committee

The Canadian Olympic Committee leads the achievement of the Canadian Olympic Team’s podium success and advances Olympic values in Canada.

Independent and predominantly privately funded, the Canadian Olympic Committee delivers resources that Canada’s elite athletes need to perform at their best and give their everything every day.

The backbone of Canada’s Olympic movement, the Canadian Olympic Committee works with National Sport Federations to prepare the Team for the Olympic, Youth Olympic and Pan American Games.

By sharing our athletes’ stories, we inspire all Canadians through the power of sport: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Canadian Olympic Committee Media Office:

Jane Almeida
Manager, Media Relations
Tel: 416-324-4120
Cell: 416-540-1788
Email: jalmeida@olympic.ca

Dimitri Soudas
Executive Director,Communications
Tel: 416-324-4136
Cell: 289-388-6419
Email: dsoudas@olympic.ca