Steve Podborski named Chef de Mission of Canada's 2014 Olympic Team

Canada’s contingent of Winter Olympians for the next Games will take on the world led by a Canadian Alpine Skiing legend following today’s announcement by the Canadian Olympic Committee that Steve Podborski will be Chef de Mission of the Canadian Olympic Team for Sochi 2014.

PHOTO CREDIT - Submitted Photo, Olympic.ca

Calgary - February 11, 2012 - Canada’s contingent of Winter Olympians for the next Games will take on the world led by a Canadian Alpine Skiing legend following today’s announcement by the Canadian Olympic Committee that Steve Podborski will be Chef de Mission of the Canadian Olympic Team for Sochi 2014.

“It is such an honour to be named Chef de Mission of the 2014 Canadian Olympic Team,” Podborski said during the announcement. “In 2010, Canada’s athletes proved that they are a force to be reckoned with, and I look forward to supporting them as they reach for the podium in Sochi.”

As Chef de Mission, Podborski will provide both leadership and mentorship to the hundreds of Canadian athletes who will go for gold in February 2014. The Canadian downhill skiing legend already has a proven track record of delivering in key positions based on his tenure as Assistant Chef de Mission at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games in 2010.

The Canadian Olympic Committee has stated its goal for Sochi 2014 is to lead all nations in total medal count.

“Steve Podborski is an icon in Canadian winter sport, and we are pleased that he has accepted to take on this role,” said Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut. “He is the ideal candidate to be our Chef de Mission in Sochi.”

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate Steve Podborski on being named Team Canada’s Chef de Mission at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games,” said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “Following the great success of Canada’s athletes in 2010, I, like all Canadians, look forward to our continued success in Sochi.”

Podborski’s first order of business will be to select the team’s Assistant Chef de Mission. Podborski will also play a central role in the COC leadership team helping to prepare athletes and teams for Sochi, including as part of the Olympic Excellence Series.

The XXII Olympic Winter Games will take place February 7 to February 23, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.