(November 15, 2005)

Two-time Canadian Pair Champions Valérie Marcoux and Craig Buntin have been named recipients of the Dairy Farmers of Canada Pure Determination Fund.

The program, which was created by the Dairy Farmers of Canada in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee, focuses on providing financial support for Olympic hopefuls in individual or team sports. Through the Pure Determination Fund, Marcoux and Buntin were awarded a $10,000 bursary to help cover their training, competition and equipment costs.

“We are very honoured to be recipients of the Dairy Farmers of Canada Pure Determination Fund,” said Buntin. “We thank the Dairy Farmers of Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee for their support.”

Marcoux and Buntin are two of a total of 20 Canadian high performance athletes who were named as recipients of the bursary.

Among the criteria to be eligible for the fund, athletes must be ranked between sixth and 15th in the world in individual events or between sixth and 12th in team sports, be training to represent Canada at the Olympic Games, be members of their national teams’ development programs or training groups, and must earn less than $75,000 in gross income.

Launched in 2002, the Pure Determination Fund has awarded $800,000 in total grants to Olympic hopefuls across Canada.