TEAM CANADA TO BE #CLADINPLAID AT GLASGOW 2014!

Canadian Team Uniform Unveiled Today in Toronto

APRIL 30, 2014, OTTAWA – The Canadian Team uniform for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games was unveiled today at an event held in Toronto at 99 Sudbury’s Glass Factory. Guests were treated to a fashion show, with the models being past and current Commonwealth Games Team members.

Highlights of the unveiling included the Team’s Opening and Closing Ceremony outfits – both of which include Canada’s own “maple leaf tartan”.

RMP Athletic Locker Ltd, of Mississauga, produced Canada’s Glasgow 2014 clothing package, and was represented at the unveiling by the company’s founder, Mike Dyon, himself a Commonwealth Games athlete (marathon, Brisbane 1982). “This is definitely an honour for me” said Mr. Dyon, “having been an athlete first and then establishing a business in the athletic industry, it’s exciting to now have the ability to give back and work with Commonwealth Games Canada to design and develop a uniform that our athletes will wear proudly!

The 2014 Canadian Team’s Chef de Mission, Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic medallist Chantal Petitclerc was on hand to welcome the guests. “While our preparation and competition are the priority when we represent Canada at the Games”, she said, “one of the highlights for every athlete on the Team is receiving their clothing package. I am impressed with the quality and design of our Team Uniform, especially the incorporation of the maple leaf tartan. There is no question that we will be one of the best dressed teams in Glasgow!”

“High performance athletes who make the commitment to represent Canada deserve high performance gear” says Dennis Koop, SVP Product & Design for RMP Athletic Locker. “In addition to our brand portfolio, including Fila, RPZN, PWDR ROOM, and Umbro, being at the disposal of our in-house design team, Design 350, we were able to take inspiration from the athletes themselves and create product for all of their needs. The Maple Leaf Tartan is integral to the collection, and while the highlights may be the Podium Kit and the Opening Ceremonies Kit, I think that the athlete’s favourite pieces will be the Team Canada Tartan pant, hoodie and flip flops! They will be #CladinPlaid with products for performance, comfort and style on their journey to Glasgow!”.

Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robinson was a special guest at the event. “Canada will be a sporting – and now stylish - powerhouse at Glasgow 2014”, she noted. “At every Games, Team Canada is a force to be reckoned within the sporting arena, and in Glasgow the Canadian Maple Leaf tartan in the uniform will be a great visual connection between our two countries.I’m sure Team Canada will raise a special cheer as their athletes stride out at the Opening Ceremony to a packed Celtic Park in Glasgow. Today’s launch also symbolises the amazing journey the Queen’s Baton Relay is taking throughout the Commonwealth to Scotland, and the sheer variety of memorable events that it is forming part of.”

The Team Uniform Launch was held as part of the Queen’s Baton Relay, which arrived in Ottawa on April 28^th and will finish its Canadian journey in Hamilton on May 2^nd. Tomorrow morning, the Baton will be involved in a “Relay for Inclusion” in downtown Toronto, and at Ryerson University in the afternoon. The Baton will finish its Canadian visit in Hamilton on Friday May 2^nd, birthplace of the Commonwealth Games (British Empire Games in 1930).

ABOUT COMMONWEALTH GAMES CANADA

Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of CGC is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool. Visit www.commonwealthgames.cafor information.

ABOUT RMP ATHLETIC LOCKER LTD.

Established in 1977, RMP Athletic Locker Ltd. is Canadian owned and operated and is a leading distributor of sports apparel and footwear brands. The company designs, develops and distributes technical and lifestyle products under a range of brand names including Fila, Umbro, Wilson Footwear, Teva, Rider Sandals, Ryka, RPZN, PWDR ROOM, Sportcraft, TapouT, Kooga and Eira. Visit www.rmpathletic.comfor information.

#BatonRelay
#Glasgow2014
#GlasgowCanadaGo
#CladInPlaid

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For additional information:

Sylvie Bigras
Communications Chief
Team Canada - Glasgow 2014
613 298 1625
sylvie@magma.ca

Stephanie Smith
Senior Marketing Manager
RMP Athletic Locker Ltd.
905-361-2390 ext. 470
stephs@rmpathletic.com