News Releases

August 13, 2004

CBC Shop in Association With ROOTS Canada to Launch Online Auction in Support of Canadian Olympians

ROOTS donates one jersey per athlete for one-of-a-kind campaign

Toronto — As the world's best athletes prepare to compete at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, CBC Shop will provide Canadians with an opportunity to do a little competing of their own when it launches an online auction in association with ROOTS Canada on eBay.ca in support of the Canadian Olympic Excellence Fund today.

By logging on to the CBC Shop on eBay.ca, Canadians will be able to bid on one-of-a-kind ROOTS 2004 Canadian Olympic Team sweatshirts signed by one of their favourite Canadian Olympians, in addition to some rare Olympic merchandise, including a cereal box signed by Gold-medallist Simon Whitfield, and toques signed by multiple medal-winner Catriona LeMay Doan. Proceeds from the auction will go to the Canadian Olympic Excellence Fund.

Created by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) in 2003, the Canadian Olympic Excellence Fund provides financial support to Canadian athletes, teams, sports and programs with the best potential for international success.

"At CBC/Radio-Canada we are particularly proud of the fact that many of Canada's finest amateur athletes first gain national exposure on our airwaves," said Al MacNevin, Director of Distribution & Marketing, CBC/Radio-Canada Merchandising Division. "Now, in partnership with ROOTS Canada, eBay.ca and the COC, CBC Shop is proud to be helping to provide the financial support they need to perform on the world's stage."

ROOTS Canada donated one Canadian Olympic Team sweatshirt for each Canadian athlete participating in Athens this year. Each athlete was given a crest to sign that was stitched onto a sweatshirt, instantly making it one-of-a-kind. Other rare Canadian Olympic merchandise and memorabilia were donated by the COC and will be auctioned off throughout the Games.

"ROOTS Canada has always celebrated and supported Canada's Olympic athletes, gaining worldwide recognition as a result," said Michael Budman, co-founder, ROOTS Canada. "Our contribution to the Canadian Olympic Excellence Fund Auction is just one more way for us to show our support for Canada's exceptional athletes."

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. CBC/Radio-Canada reaches Canadians through eight national radio and television networks, its full-service Web sites, local/regional stations and affiliates, as well as the digital television channel Country Canada and the continuous music network Galaxie. In addition, CBC/Radio-Canada has forged partnerships with other broadcasters and is a partner in the satellite radio service SIRIUS Canada as well as in the specialty television services ARTV and The Documentary Channel. Through this array of activities, CBC/Radio-Canada brings diverse regional and cultural perspectives into the daily lives of Canadians in English, French and eight aboriginal languages. (2006)

For additional information, please contact:

Katherine Heath-Eves
Media Relations
CBC/Radio-Canada (Ottawa)
Tel: (613) 288-6235
heathevk@cbc.ca
www.cbc.radio-canada.ca