August 29, 2016 (Ottawa) – As they prepare to take on the world in Rio next month, members of the national Paralympic swim team are being sent off with the best wishes of Canada’s chicken farmers.

These competitive swimmers, along with their coaches and support staff, have each been given a special edition 2016 Lucky Loonie, in recognition of farmers’ and athletes’ partnership for healthy living.

“We are proud to be the official protein of swimming in Canada and to support Canada’s Paralympic athletes,” said Dave Janzen, Chair of Chicken Farmers of Canada. “With the team equipped with these Lucky Loonies, we’re cheering them on as they compete for Canada in Rio.”

“Swimming Canada’s partnership with Chicken Farmers of Canada has grown every year, and continues to evolve,” said Chris Wilson, Swimming Canada’s Director of Marketing. “Our swimmers appreciate the support they get and understand the amount of work that Canada’s 2,800 chicken farmers do to put a healthy product on Canadian tables. This good luck gesture is a fun way for the farmers to remind the athletes of all the supporters rooting them on from back home.”

Last year, farmers’ ongoing support for swimming in Canada was recognized with the 2015 Corporate Excellence Award from Aquatics Canada. The award specifically highlighted the farmers’ wide range of support, from high performance athletes to the grassroots levels.

The Lucky Loonie, a specially-minted coin from the Royal Canadian Mint, has been issued for each Olympic and Paralympic Games since a loonie was buried beneath the hockey rink for the 2002 Winter Games. It worked then too as both the men’s and women’s teams won gold that year.

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For more information, please contact:
Marty Brett, Senior Communications Officer
(613) 566-5926
mbrett@chicken.ca