Back-to-back gold medal victories on Day 1 from CIBC Team Next athletes
in 4-person kayak sprint and duet synchronized swimming
TORONTO, July 11, 2015 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM), the Lead Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Pan
Am/Parapan Am Games, is thrilled to congratulate two CIBC Team Next
athletes for winning Canada's first and second Pan Am gold medals.
CIBC Team Next's kayak sprinter Michelle Russell won Canada's first Pan
Am gold medal with her teammates in the K-4 500-metre in Welland. Just
hours later, her fellow CIBC Team Next member Jacqueline Simoneau
captured the gold with her partner in the duet synchronized swimming
competition at the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre & Field House
in Scarborough.
"I'm speechless. This is a phenomenal way for us to start the Games.
I've got a few races ahead and this is the start of many great things
to come," CIBC Team Next athlete Michelle said after their victory.
"I am absolutely thrilled for Michelle. She's worked so hard for this,"
says Kara Lang, Michelle's CIBC Team Next mentor and Canadian soccer
player and sports analyst. "I couldn't be happier for her. She's earned
it. I am so proud."
Michelle, 23, who hails from Fall River, Nova Scotia, and Jacqueline,
18, a Montreal native, are two of the 67 up-and-coming amateur athletes
in the CIBC Team Next program, which provides financial support and
advice, plus mentorship from world-renowned Canadian athlete champions.
The program's mentors include: Simon Whitfield, Kara Lang, Josh
Cassidy, Mary Spencer, Mark de Jonge, Stephanie Dixon, Kyle Shewfelt,
Bruny Surin and Benoît Huot. Nearly three-quarters of the athletes and
para-athletes in the program will be competing during the Games.
"Way to go Jacqueline! I am so happy for you," says her CIBC Team Next
mentor Kyle Shewfelt, an Olympic and Commonwealth gold-medal gymnast.
"You've done us proud."
Jacqueline is also competing at 3 p.m. on Saturday in the team event.
CIBC in partnership with AthletesCAN, the association of Canada's
national team athletes, and the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
selected the CIBC Team Next roster based on their potential on and off
the field of play. To be considered, the athletes had to be nominated
by their national sport organizations.
About CIBC
CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with 11
million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major
business units - Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and
Wholesale Banking - CIBC offers a full range of products and services
through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and
offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the
world. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC on
our corporate website at www.cibc.com/ca/media-centre/.
About CIBC's Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Sponsorship
As the Lead Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games CIBC is
committed to enriching Canadian communities through the power of sport.
Through our investments we will create a lasting legacy by funding
next-generation athletes, encouraging the volunteer spirit of our
employees, helping finance landmark venues and engaging our diverse
communities while fusing sport with arts and culture. To learn more
visit www.cibc.com/ca/features/panamgames.html.
SOURCE Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Image with caption: "Kayak sprinter Michelle Russell, 23, part of the CIBC Team Next program, shows her form in competition ahead of the Games. (CNW Group/Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150711_C9129_PHOTO_EN_43988.jpg
Image with caption: "CIBC Team Next's Jacqueline Simoneau all smiles while training for Games (CNW Group/Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150711_C9129_PHOTO_EN_43987.jpg
Caroline Van Hasselt, Director, External Communications and Media Relations, 416-784-6699, caroline.vanhasselt@cibc.com