TEAM SASKATCHEWAN UNVEILED

The Saskatchewan athletes who will represent their province at the 2005 Jeux du Canada Summer Games were introduced at a special ceremony at the University of Regina this morning.

In all, Team Saskatchewan is made up of 355 athletes from all across the province, as well as 69 coaches and managers, four artists who are participating in the National Artists Program, and 20 mission staff. Approximately 75 Team Saskatchewan athletes attended the ceremony.

"When I look at these young athletes, I feel such pride," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joan Beatty said. "I know they will be spirited competitors in their chosen events, and I know also that they will be wonderful ambassadors for our province."

The Jeux du Canada Games are Canada's premier sporting event, and merely making Team Saskatchewan and competing at such a high level are accomplishments in themselves, Beatty said.

"More than 6,000 athletes began the process of becoming members of Team Saskatchewan three years ago, and these 355 represent the true best of the best our province has to offer," she said. "I wish them well as they represent their communities and their province, and I commend them on having made it this far, and I hope they fulfill the goals they have set for themselves at these Games."

The 2005 Jeux du Canada Summer Games begin in Regina on August 6th and run until August 20th. In total, the Games will involve more than 4,300 athletes, coaches and managers as well as 450 officials and 200 mission staff from all provinces and territories. Saskatchewan will field competitors in all of the Games' 16 events.

For more information on Team Saskatchewan, visit www.gov.sk.ca/teamsask/summer05. During the Games, the site will be updated daily with the latest Team Saskatchewan results and features.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Peters Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4967