Team RBC welcomes 55 elite Canadian athletes to RBC Olympians program ahead of Beijing 2022

New RBC Olympians roster includes Tokyo 2020 medallists, RBC Training Ground alumni and strong contingent of Beijing 2022 hopefuls

TORONTO, Oct. 14, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, 55 elite Canadian athletes were announced as part of the 2021-2023 RBC Olympians roster. The roster includes an impressive group of Beijing 2022 hopefuls from communities across Canada, including Chloé and Justine Dufour-Lapointe (Freestyle Skiing - Moguls), Justin Kripps (Bobsleigh), Marie-Philip Poulin and Sarah Nurse (Ice Hockey), and Mark McMorris (Snowboard), among others. The roster also includes Canada's most decorated Olympian Penny Oleksiak (Swimming) and RBC Training Ground program graduates and Tokyo 2020 Olympic champions Avalon Wasteneys (Rowing) and Kelsey Mitchell (Track Cycling).

The RBC Olympians program is a national initiative that provides support to Canadian athletes, helping them succeed in international competition, and as they transition into life after sport. In addition to much-needed financial support, the program provides athletes with opportunities to gain valuable career experience alongside flexible work arrangements. As a part of Team RBC, these athletes also act as ambassadors, spreading RBC and Olympic shared values of teamwork, excellence, commitment and leadership to communities across Canada. Since its inception in 2002, hundreds of active and newly retired Olympic and Paralympic athletes have benefited from the program.

The 2021-2023 RBC Olympians roster includes nine RBC Olympians who were discovered through RBC Training Ground, a national talent identification and athlete funding program designed to uncover and support Next Generation athletes with Olympic potential. For the first time since the program's inception in 2016, program graduates competed on the world stage at Tokyo 2020, winning a total of four Olympic medals.

As the longest standing partner of Team Canada, RBC has proudly championed the growth of the Olympic Movement since 1947. Through initiatives like RBC Training Ground and the RBC Olympians program, RBC is proud to support amateur athletes at every stage of their careers – from up and coming next-generation talent, to multi-Games Olympic medallists.

"We are incredibly proud to welcome a new roster of RBC Olympians to Team RBC ahead of Beijing 2022," said Matt McGlynn, Vice-President, Brand Marketing, RBC. "This summer was exciting to watch RBC Olympians and RBC Training Ground graduates make Canada proud, bringing home a total of 12 medals. We look forward to supporting our new RBC Olympians on their journey to the Beijing 2022 Games and beyond."

"RBC has been such an integral part of every step of my skiing career," said Marion Thénault, RBC Olympian and Beijing 2022 hopeful (Freestyle Skiing - Aerials). "I got recruited in aerial skiing through an RBC Training Ground event, received support for the first years of my career through the RBC Future Olympian program, and now I'm becoming an RBC Olympian as the Beijing 2022 Games approach. I feel privileged to be part of such an empowering community alongside incredible Canadian athletes."

"I have always admired what RBC was doing with its athletes and its involvement in the community," said Justine Dufour-Lapointe, RBC Olympian and Olympic champion (Freestyle Skiing - Moguls). I always wanted to be part of it and now that I am, especially with my sister Chloé, it gets me excited to give back. My sisters and I have been involved in our community for a couple of years now, and I am happy to have the opportunity to take it to another level." – Justine Dufour-Lapointe

"I am very grateful to partner with a brand that supports the goals and dreams of so many incredible athletes," said Sarah Nurse, RBC Olympian and Olympic-medallist (Ice Hockey). "RBC has held a special place in my heart since I was young, my grandmother worked there for 20+ years and it was the first bank I ever used."

2021-2023 RBC Olympians:

About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 88,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.‎

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact.

SOURCE RBC