Podium jackets autographed by 2010 Olympic Medallists to be auctioned after the Games

VANCOUVER, Feb. 11 /CNW/ - When Canadian athletes are on the podium at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, they will be outfitted in a Red Podium Jacket, created by the Hudson's Bay Company exclusively for the Canadian Olympic Team. The jacket will be on show tonight at the Grand Opening of Canada Olympic House, located on the sixth floor of Hudson's Bay Company's flagship store The Bay, Downtown Vancouver.

The red quilted jacket bearing the Canada word mark across the chest, with the logos of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Hudson's Bay Company, is a variation on a similar black jacket for sale in The Bay as part of the 2010 Canadian Olympic Team retail collection.

"We wanted to offer something exclusive to Canada's 2010 Olympians to recognize their world-class efforts," said Jeff Sherman, CEO of Hudson's Bay Company. "Hudson's Bay Company has been supporting Canadian athletes since 1936, and we're very proud to continue with the Red Podium Jacket program which not only assists Canada's 2010 Olympians, but will also help foster future talent."

After competition, 2010 Canadian medallists will be asked to sign one of a small collection of Red Podium Jackets donated by Hudson's Bay Company to the COC that will be auctioned at special events over the coming months, such as the Hudson's Bay Company annual charity golf tournament. Auction proceeds will go to the Canadian Olympic Foundation in association with the Hudson's Bay Co. Foundation. Red Podium Jackets will not be available for retail. Watch for auction details at www.olympic.ca.

"We are very happy to be partnering again with Hudson's Bay Company to benefit Canada's athletes while offering fans an exciting opportunity to own a piece of Olympic history," said Chris Rudge, CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee. "This builds on the COC's rich history of working with partners like Hudson's Bay Company to create innovative programs to help our athletes reach their dreams."

About Hudson's Bay Company

Hudson's Bay Company is a Premier National Partner, the General Retail Merchant and Official Outfitter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. In partnership with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), the company is designing and manufacturing the Official Uniforms for the Games-time workforce; it will also be outfitting the Canadian athletes, in both Vancouver and Whistler, with quality apparel to make the athletes comfortable in 2010