{UAH} TO THOSE IN THE GREATER AUTHORITY OF TORONTO

Prime Minister Stephen Harper congratulates Canadian women's hockey and curling teams on Olympic gold medals

February 20, 2014
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement congratulating the Canadian women’s hockey and curling teams, whose exceptional performances were rewarded with gold medals at the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi:

“I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to our women’s Olympic hockey team, who today earned their fourth consecutive gold medal after a thrilling victory in the championship game at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. Canadians from coast to coast to coast are extremely proud of today’s performance by this outstanding group of women who dug deep to come back from a two goal deficit, showing their grit and spirit to the world. They have once again made our country proud and we share in this outstanding victory.

“I would also like to extend my congratulations to head coach Kevin Dineen, assistant coaches Danielle Goyette and Lisa Haley, as well as the other coaches, trainers, staff and volunteers at Hockey Canada who have worked tirelessly to bring this team together.”

This is the fifth consecutive medal for Canada in women’s Olympic ice hockey, having previously won silver in Nagano and gold in Salt Lake City, Turin and Vancouver. Canada has won a medal in this event at every Olympic Winter Games since women’s hockey was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1998.

“My sincere congratulations also go out to our Canadian women’s curling team. Their outstanding skills, perseverance and determination earned our country another well-deserved gold medal. After going undefeated at these Olympic Games, our women's curling team has proven that they are indeed the very best. Their stellar achievement is a source of great pride and an inspiration to us all.”

The members of the women’s curling team are: Skip Jennifer Jones, Second Jill Officer, Third Kaitlyn Lawes, Lead Dawn McEwen and Fifth Kirsten Wall.

Jennifer Jones came to national prominence at the 2005 Scott Tournament of Hearts when she won her first Canadian title. Jill Officer has been playing with Ms. Jones since they were junior competitors. In 2007, Dawn McEwen joined the team as lead. Together, this trio won the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The major milestone was winning the world title in 2008. The team finished fourth at the world championships in 2009 before capturing bronze in 2010. In August 2010, Kaitlyn Lawes, a two-time Canadian junior champion skip, joined the team at third. The foursome was runners-up at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in 2011 and 2013, and finished third in 2012. Kirsten Wall served as the fifth on the team in Sochi.

For more information on individual members of the Canadian women’s hockey and curling teams, please visit http://olympic.ca/athletes/.

Quick Facts:

• The 2014 Olympic Winter Games are being held from February 7 to 23 in Sochi, Russia.
• Canada is represented by more than 221 athletes competing in 15 winter sport disciplines.
• More than 2,800 athletes, coaches, and team officials from more than 80 countries are participating in these Olympic Games.

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