Athletes get help in Quest for Gold

A $34,450 investment from the province will help eight athletes in Greater Sudbury be better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead in their quest for excellence, said Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci.

Recipients include wrestler Diana Ford, biathlete Ryan Hunter, squash player Michael McCue, cross-country athletes with a disability Tanya Quesnel and Christine Henry, cross-country athlete Alannah MacLean, runner Ross Proudfoot and boccia player Angela Wong.

Funding comes from the province’s Quest for Gold program, which supports Ontario athletes that represent Ontario at the international level. Many past recipients competed at the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, while others are currently training for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games, the 2015 Pan Para Pan American Games and beyond.

“Our government recognizes that local athletes need support in order to be successful when representing our community,” said Bartolucci. “These funds provide them with more opportunities to train, compete, and achieve their goals.

“Ontario's athletes give their all to achieve excellence in sport, and I am proud of our government's commitment to support them. I applaud all of the recipients for their strength and dedication and I look forward to continue watching them compete with the best in the world." 

The Quest for Gold program will have provided approximately $73 million by March 31, 2013 since its inception in 2006 to support Ontario’s high-performance athletes, coaches, and other training and competitive opportunities.