Chan, Virtue and Moir Honoured by Provincial Government at Ontario Sport Awards

OTTAWA, ON: On Thursday evening members of the Skate Canada National Team were honoured by the Ontario Government at the annual Ontario Sport Awards. Patrick Chan, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir were all recognized for their outstanding achievements to amateur sport in 2012.

Three-time world champion Patrick Chan, 22, Toronto, Ont., won Male Athlete of the Year. Chan was one of four finalists, which included Derek Drouin (Athletics), Adam van Koeverden (Kayaking) and Mark Oldershaw (Canoeing). Chan also picked up the same honour in 2011.

Olympic champions in 2010, two-time world champions and 2013 world silver medalists, Tessa Virtue, 22, London, Ont., and Scott Moir, 24, Ilderton, Ont., won Ontario Team of the Year. The ice dancers were one of three nominees, which included Crush Volleyball Club (Volleyball) and Rhythmic Gymnastics Senior Group (Rythmic Gymnastics). Virtue and Moir also won Ontario Team of the Year in 2010.

“Congratulations to all of the talented athletes recognized at this year’s Ontario Sport Awards. We are proud to celebrate the motivation, determination and passion of Ontario’s finest amateur athletes and the dedicated coaches, volunteers and sponsors who support them. Our government is committed to achieving excellence in athletics across the province through programs that support our aspiring athletes from the playground to the podium," Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Louis Stong was awarded with the Syl Apps Volunteer Achievement Award for outstanding volunteerism. Stong is a long-time volunteer within the figure skating community and was nominated by Skate Ontario.

The Ontario Government also recognized corporate sponsorship and after being nominated by Skate Ontario, the Figure Skating Boutique was presented with the Corporate Sport Citation Award.

Finalists are nominated by their Provincial/Multi-Sport Organization. Winners are chosen by the Sport Awards Selection Committee, a group comprised of former athletes and sport administrators from Ontario.

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