Prime Minister Stephen Harper congratulates Helen Upperton and Shelley-Ann Brown on Olympic Silver Medal

February 24, 2010

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today congratulated Helen Upperton and Shelley-Ann Brown, whose exceptional performance today in the women’s two-man bobsleigh was rewarded with a silver medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

“Canada’s Winter Olympic athletes have been working up to this moment for years,” said the Prime Minister.  “Helen Upperton and Shelley-Ann Brown’s hard work and self-discipline came together in a silver-medal finish.  This is another in a series of proud and shining moments by our athletes.”
 
Ms. Upperton was born in Kuwait and currently resides in Calgary.  This is her first medal in her second Olympic Games.  She has competed in five World Championships with two fourth-place finishes.  In 2007-08, she achieved eight top-four World Cup finishes.
 
Ms. Brown was born in Scarborough, Ontario, and also currently resides in Calgary.  This is her first medal in her first Olympic Games.  She started competing in 2006 and has five World Cup podium finishes.  Along with pilot Kaillie Humphries, she holds the start record on the Lake Placid track.  Her highest World Championship placing was fifth in 2008.
 
The 2010 Olympic Winter Games are being held from February 12 to 28.  Canada is being represented by more than 200 athletes who are competing in a 15-sport competition schedule at nine venues in Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler.  More than 5,500 athletes, coaches and team officials from more than 80 countries are participating in these Olympic Games.