Olympic and Paralympic medalists, as well as athletes still paving their future achievements, are some of the 60 sport elites who will receive funding as ambassadors for the 2021 Save-On-Foods Fueling Sport program.
Hundreds of athletes from Western Canada applied, with 60 selected to take part in the grocery chainB次元官网网址檚 community sports nutrition initiative. Launched this past spring, the program includes $10 million over five years to support athletes reaching their goals, as well as local sponsorships for sports clubs.
The athletes represent an array of sports, such as hockey, soccer, curling and speed skating, while also showcasing more recent and regional passions such as CrossFit, rock climbing, water skiing, beach volleyball and BMX.
The roster includes Olympic and Pan-Am medalists, Canadian record-holders and Paralympians, as well as local club, university and aspiring provincial team members.
Pamphinette Buisa, Victoria resident and Canadian womenB次元官网网址檚 rugby sevens team member, said sheB次元官网网址檚 struggled to develop cooking skills in the past.
B次元官网网址淣ow that IB次元官网网址檓 provided the opportunity to cook, to learn and really invest in my nutritional habits, itB次元官网网址檒l definitely accelerate and support my athletic capacity,B次元官网网址� Buisa told Black Press Media, adding itB次元官网网址檒l also help her take part in community initiatives.
Buisa will make her Olympic debut when the Canadian womenB次元官网网址檚 sevens squad plays Brazil on July 28.
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Jack Boden, a member of the University of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 cross-country and track team, said itB次元官网网址檚 an honour to be selected as one of the programB次元官网网址檚 ambassadors.
B次元官网网址淚t means a lot for athletes at all levels,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淣utrition and fueling is something every athlete needs.B次元官网网址�
Nutrition is one of the main areas where heB次元官网网址檚 been trying to improve, so he hopes the $30 a week for groceries heB次元官网网址檒l receive through the program will help him do just that.
B次元官网网址淕roceries are pretty expensive so itB次元官网网址檚 definitely a big help for me,B次元官网网址� Boden said.
The soon-to-be third-year student said the program will help power his training as he prepares for the Canada West cross-country meet in October.
Nathan Hirayama, one of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 two Tokyo flag-bearers, is part of the programB次元官网网址檚 60-athlete roster. The UVic grad is co-captain of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 menB次元官网网址檚 rugby sevens team and has helped the squad capture two gold medals and a silver at the last three Pan American Games.
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CanadaB次元官网网址檚 menB次元官网网址檚 sevens team is making its Olympic debut in Tokyo and starts play Sunday.
B次元官网网址淲e look forward to supporting (athletes) pursue their goals from their local hometowns to the international stage,B次元官网网址� said More Rewards president Dan Howe. B次元官网网址淏y investing locally, we are realizing the power of sport in building healthy and vibrant communities.B次元官网网址�
A full list of the athletes participating can be found at .
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