Canadian Athletes Reap Benefits of New COC Partnership -- Sponsor Spotlight

(ATR)The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) will for the first time have an exclusive provider for business education.

For the next eight years the COC and the Smith School of Business will work to provide scholarships for COC athletes, staff and partners.

Under the program, 1200 athletes will be eligible to obtain a Graduate diploma in Business, a Masters in Entrepreneurship and Innovation or a degree in several other programs through the scholarship.

"The COC is committed to providing Canada's athletes with the tools they need to be successful on and off the field of play, Canadian Olympic Committee CEOChristopher Overholt said in a statement.

"Our first ever partnership with an academic institution marks a significant step towards this commitment. We simply cannot ask our athletes to set aside their personal goals and aspirations for sport and for Canada and then not have a plan for them after they are done. We are excited to partner with such a world-class business school."

COC coaches and staff also have the opportunity to participate through Smith's "Coaching 2.0" program organized to enhance skills through various workshops and training sessions.

Several Olympic athletes attended the partnership announcement made at the business school’s Toronto campus.

"This partnership will help to solidify the many transferable skills that athletes develop over the course of their competitive careers and open up new career options for Canadian athletes, two-time Olympic medalistsaid Jennifer Heil stated.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to elevate my skills at a world-class institution and to start the EMBA program at Smith."

TOC Joins Nike for "Active Kids" Initiative

Over 1200 students are expected to join the Turkish Olympic Committee (TOC) and Nike in Istanbul for the 3rd annual 'Active Kids' program.

'Active Kids' was initiated to promote the need for physical activity of youth in Istanbul and gives students the chance to learn the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Children between the ages of 6-10 will have the opportunity to attend classes every weekend engaging in a variety of fun physical activities including basketball, volleyball and more.

"The TOC are pleased to welcome back the ‘Active Kids’ project for its third consecutive year. Since its inception in the 2014/15 academic year, we have reached thousands of children in Istanbul, educating them on the benefits of leading physically active lifestyles. As the Turkish Olympic Committee, we must continue to promote sport amongst all our citizens, and we are committed to doing so from the earliest age possible"TOC President Professor Dr. Uğur Erdener said in a statement.

The first step in the 'Active Kids program' begins today Nov. 5.

GE worth billions through recent merger

TOP Olympic Sponsor General Electric (GE) is merging its petroleum-related operations with the oil industry company Baker Hughes Inc.

The new company formed by the merger will be one of the industry's largest players, worth over $32 billion, once the merger is approved.

The deal gives GE 62.5 percent of the new company with Baker Hughes owning the rest. Shareholders of Baker Hughes must still approve the deal.

General Electric is one of 12 TOP Olympic sponsors providing power, lighting and much more for Olympic venues as well assupplies for local hospitals to assist doctors when treating athletes.

Homepage photo: COC

Written by Courtney Colquitt

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