OREANDA-NEWS. July 13, 2016. Announced today, Procter & Gamble (P&G) (NYSE: PG), and the Canadian Olympic Foundation (COF) will partner to support aspiring Olympians and their families by raising funds through the purchase of some of P&G’s most popular brands, available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores. This summer, P&G will donate the value of 50 Shoppers Optimum Points, per purchase, to the COF in support of aspiring young athletes. The full value of the donation will be determined at the end of the promotion period measured by the total sales of specific P&G products sold at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada, with an approximate donation of \\$100,000.

Aside from passion, work ethic and competitive drive, one of the chief contributing factors of becoming an elite athlete is family and financial support. This partnership between P&G and the COF came naturally as P&G has always been a ‘proud sponsor of moms’ and the strength moms pass along to their children at every stage of their journey. By purchasing any Crest® or Pantene® products; Olay® soap or body wash; Always® Radiant™; Tampax® Radiant™, or Gillette® and Gillette Venus® razors, Canadians can support young talented athletes, aiding their dream to one day compete on the world’s biggest stage.

“Since launching our ‘Thank You Mom’ campaign in 2012, P&G has been showcasing the role mothers play in the lives of elite athletes, at every stage of their journey, by creating short films that are released before each Olympic Games. Our focus is providing products that moms can rely on everyday so that they can focus their strength and attention on their families,” explains Joyce Law, Communications Leader, Procter & Gamble. “As an extension of the campaign, this partnership with the COF aims to impact the lives of aspiring Olympians and their moms, who have played a crucial role in shaping their future.”

Today, P&G and COF are kicking off the program by hosting the ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ panel, featuring three aspiring Olympians: Mariam Abdul-Rashid, Soren Meeuwisse and Ryan Oehrlein as well as their mothers, at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in downtown Toronto. Former Olympian and new mom Annamay Pierse will moderate the panel, discussing the journey of a competitive athlete and how support from mom fuels their journey to the podium.

“We are so proud to partner with P&G to launch this campaign to support elite athletes and their families,” says Leanne Nicolle, Executive Director, Canadian Olympic Foundation. “This campaign is a great initiative that will provide substantial support and funding for aspiring Olympians, helping their dreams become a reality.”

Mariam Abdul-Rashid, a track runner and aspiring Olympian from Oshawa, Ontario, and her mother Akilah will be among those on the panel at today’s launch.

“Life with a high-performance athlete comes with a financial commitment,” says Akilah. “It’s encouraging to see organizations like the COF and P&G bringing increased support and awareness to young athletes at this competitive level. This program, like many of the P&G products that my family relies on, is important because it helps us as mothers focus on supporting our children’s dreams.”

In July 2010, P&G became the 11th partner to join the TOP Olympic Sponsorship program. This year’s ‘Thank you Mom’ video “Strong” explores the simple human truth that the daily courage moms show echoes at critical times throughout their kids’ lives. View “Strong” here.

The Donation program available at Shoppers Drug Mart runs from July 16 to August 12, 2016. Visit your local store or shoppersdrugmart.ca/pgolympics for more information.

About P&G’s Olympic Games Program

P&G brands are committed to giving moms the best, each and every day. Not just moms of Olympians, but all moms, all around the world. As a Worldwide and Canadian Olympic Partner, when P&G brands like Tide, Gillette and Pampers partner with athletes on their Olympic Games journey, P&G also recognizes the mom who supported them every step of the way. For the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, 18 P&G brands in more than 35 countries will activate the Company’s Olympic Games campaign through TV and digital content, in-store displays, public relations and social media.

About P&G

P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.

About the Canadian Olympic Foundation

Established in 2007, the Canadian Olympic Foundation gives to priority partners that drive high performance athletic achievement for Canada's Olympic podium potentials and for our next generation of Olympic athletes. Learn more at olympicfoundation.ca or follow Canadian Olympic Foundation on Facebook.