Hbc Kicks Off Countdown to Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with Launch of Bold Team Canada Gear and $600,000 Donation to Athletes
\n– Canada\u2019s first Eco-friendly athlete uniforms made with materials such as bamboo and organic cottont <\/p>\n
May 1, 2008 <\/p>\n
Toronto, ON, April 30, 2008 \u2013 Hudson\u2019s Bay Company today unveiled the highly anticipated clothing collection that Canadian athletes will wear at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The collection is eco-friendly and was designed with athletes\u2019 input to ensure the Canadian team has ideal clothing to excel in Beijing\u2019s hot summer temperatures. The replica wear is being launched in Bay and Zellers stores across Canada, as well as online at www.hbc.com. <\/p>\n
The Company also announced donations of $300,000 to the Own the Podium 2010 initiative to benefit Canada\u2019s winter sports system, and $300,000 to the Road to Excellence program to benefit Canada\u2019s summer sport system. Both are part of the Canadian Olympic Foundation\u2019s action plan to create world-class programs, policies and financing that will help to place Canada amongst the top nations at future Olympic and Paralympic Games. <\/p>\n
\u201cHbc has a proud history of supporting Canadian athletes as they train and compete at the Olympic and Paralympic Games,\u201d said Rob Johnston, President, Hbc. \u201cIt is with great pleasure that we once again show our pride by outfitting the Canadian Olympic team, as well as providing financial support, in their quest for gold at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Canadian team is well known for its Olympic clothing and we are confident that the stylish and functional uniforms that Hbc has created for the team in Beijing will be worn with pride by athletes and sought after by the public,\u201d said Chris Rudge, CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee. \u201cI also want to recognize Hbc\u2019s generous donation to the Own the Podium 2010 and Road to Excellence programs as well as their ongoing support of Canadian athletes.\u201d <\/p>\n
The latest Olympic collection is a highly-styled fusion of Canadian and Chinese symbolism. \u2018Canada\u2019 is proudly written in both English and Chinese and the maple leaf is used on select items. The primary colours for the collection are red and white, with further colour inspiration coming from the five elements of Chinese astrology: Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Metal. Chinese symbolism is used in the form of the lucky number eight, both as a numeral and an octagon. <\/p>\n
Hbc\u2019s Olympic design team worked with Canadian Olympic athletes from across the country to design the collection. Over 50 former and current summer Olympians participated in focus groups in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal and provided valuable feedback and suggestions that contributed to the goal of creating a team uniform package that exceeds the athletes\u2019 fashion and functional needs. Many athletes were unprepared for the heat they experienced in Athens and asked that clothing be appropriate for the expected high temperatures in Beijing. In response, the clothing incorporates performance fabrics that provide UV protection, four way stretch, odor resistance, and wicking and cooling properties for ultimate comfort. The clothing is also eco-friendly, using materials such as bamboo, cotton blends, cacona and organic cotton. Most of the pieces will be available for sale as replica wear both in Bay and Zellers stores, online at www.hbc.com, at Canada House and the BC Pavilion during the Olympic Games in Beijing. <\/p>\n
The collection includes special \u2018team-only\u2019 pieces that will not be for sale to the public. These include the opening ceremony outfit and the podium jacket. The designs for parade wear — the clothing worn in the Opening Ceremony — and the clothing designed for the medal podium will only be unveiled at the 2008 Olympic Games. Canada\u2019s Olympic team members in Beijing will each receive 25 items, as part of the 2008 Team package, including leisure wear, jackets, pants and shorts, hoodies, t-shirts, shoes and luggage. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy that Hbc took the time to consult with athletes on the design of the team uniforms and has created cool, eco-friendly outfits that will meet our needs in Beijing yet clearly identify us as Canadian,\u201d said rhythmic gymnast Alexandra Orlando of Toronto, who has already qualified for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. <\/p>\n
Hbc is the Official Clothing and Luggage Supplier to the Canadian Olympic team and the Official Department Store Partner and General Merchandise Retailer in Canada until 2012. The Hbc Foundation has also committed to raising $20 million dollars through 2012 to help fund our athletes, their training facilities and their national sports organizations. To date, the Company has already raised nearly $6 million toward its goal. Funds are raised on Canada Day at the Hbc Run for Canada in communities across the country and an annual charity golf tournament. <\/p>\n
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to sport excellence. It is responsible for all aspects of Canada’s involvement in the Olympic movement, including Canada’s participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games and a wide variety of programs that promote the Olympic movement in Canada through cultural and educational means. For more information, see the COC website: www.olympic.ca. <\/p>\n
Hbc is Canada’s largest diversified general merchandise retailer, operating in department store (the Bay), mass merchandise (Zellers), specialty (Home Outfitters) and discount (Fields) formats. With more than 600 retail outlets and nearly 70,000 associates located in every province in Canada, Hbc provides Canadians with stylish, quality merchandise at great value, through retail banners focused on exceptional customer service. Hbc is a Canadian retail leader in corporate social responsibility, and the fifth annual Hbc CSR report can be found at www.hbc.com. <\/p>\n
For more information contact:<\/p>\n
Katherine Raso
\nHbc Public Relations
\nOffice 416-861-6691
\nMobile 416-804-1859
\nkatherine.raso@hbc.com
\nkraso@rogers.blackberry.net<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.olympic.ca\/EN\/organization\/news\/2008\/0501.shtml<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hbc Kicks Off Countdown to Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with Launch of Bold Team Canada Gear and $600,000 Donation to Athletes – Canada\u2019s first Ec…
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