News Release: Canadian Olympic Committee Names Mark Rowswell
Team Attaché for 2008 Olympic Games

TORONTO, November 6, 2006 – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced today that Mark Rowswell, a Toronto resident who has become an icon in China under his stage name “Dashan”, has been appointed as the Canadian Team Attaché for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Rowswell, 41, is a multi-faceted performer and television host who has become a media celebrity in China.As “Dashan”, Rowswell is considered a cultural ambassador in China and has been a prominent personality in the country since his initial nationally televised performance in 1988.

Apart from his career in television, Rowswell, who is remarkably fluent in Mandarin, has also performed in several comedic and dramatic plays, written children’s books, appeared in documentaries and promotion videos, and participated in a variety of charity promotions and live events.

“People in Canada may not know his name but Mark has achieved true celebrity status in China where eight out of 10 people recognize him as Dashan,” said Chris Rudge, COC Chief Executive Officer.“His stature in China will certainly open doors for the Canadian Olympic team and help us with many of our high-performance needs prior to and during the 2008 Olympic Games.”

Dashan touring Olympic facilities in Beijing with the Canadian Olympic Committee

As Team Attaché, Rowswell will be responsible for facilitating cooperation between the COC and the various local groups and individuals in Beijing while also assisting with Canada’s team operations at the 2008 Olympic Games.

“As a popular, respected and trusted entertainer, Mark Rowswell will be instrumental in facilitating the Canadian Olympic Committee’s ongoing progress with the 2008 Olympic Games Organizing Committee,”said Sylvie Bernier, 2008 Chef de Mission and 1984 diving Olympic gold medallist.“ As a Canadian, Mark’s profile within China is truly unique and his leadership will be key in helping our organization develop important relationships with members of Beijing’s community.”

In Canada, Rowswell will be instrumental in helping Canada’s athletes, coaches and team leaders better understand China’s cultural customs by serving as a guest speaker at, among other events, the COC’s Beijing Olympic Excellence Series, which will take place in mid-November. The Excellence Series involves a number of high-performance workshops designed to better prepare Canada’s athletes for podium success at the Olympic Games.

Speaking to Canadian Olympians at a seminar in Collingwood, Ontario

As part of the COC’s Beijing Media Information Sessions, scheduled to take place a few months prior to the Games in 2008, Rowswell will also provide members of the Canadian media with a unique perspective on Chinese media relations and a better understanding of Chinese culture.

“I think that many Canadians have at least some understanding of China and its culture, but there remains a great deal of misunderstanding,” said Rowswell.“ Over the next two years, I’m looking forward to assisting members of the Canadian Olympic team to communicate more effectively with the Chinese in order to help them feel more at home in Beijing, and more importantly, to help them prepare for success at the Games.”

The Canadian Olympic Committee is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to sport excellence.  It is responsible for all aspects of Canada’s involvement in the Olympic movement, including Canada’s participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games and a wide variety of programs that promote the Olympic Movement in Canada through cultural and educational means. For more information, see the COC website: www.olympic.ca.