Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour is sending best wishes to Prince Edward Island Olympians Kara Grant and Jared Connaughton as they prepare to participate in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
“It is important that both Kara and Jared go into these Games knowing that Islanders are very proud of their hard work, their spirit and their determination,” said Minister Bertram.
There are 331 Canadian athletes competing in Beijing from August 8 - 24, 2008. This is Kara’s second time participating in Olympic Games; she competed in Athens Greece in 2004 and will compete in the modern pentathlon. Jared is Prince Edward Island's first Canada Games double gold medal winner. This is his first time at the Olympic Games where he will run in the Men's 200m and the second leg of the Men's 4 x 100m relay.
“I want all Islanders to have the opportunity to let our athletes know that we support them,” said Minister Bertram. To help Islanders convey their own best wishes, the Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour has set up a website www.gov.pe.ca/go/olympics where people can go online and post messages of encouragement for Jared and Kara.
“Let’s show Jared and Kara that we are confident that they will do well and are cheering them on from home,” she said. “I encourage Islanders to go to our new web page and send a message to our Prince Edward Island Olympians.”