For Immediate Release:

Boxing Olympians Gearing Up for Athens with Send-Off Party

With the first session of Olympic competition only 53 days away, Boxing Ontario Olympians Andrew Kooner and Adam Trupish are preparing for the pinnacle of their amateur boxing careers.  Part of that preparation is a send-off party hosted by family and friends in celebration of their journey to Athens.

WHEN: Saturday, July 3, 2004, 4pm until Midnight

WHERE: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 525 in Rodney, Ontario, located between Chatham and London

DIRECTIONS: Exit Furnival Road South via the 401, access the Legion via Victoria Street

The send-off party is a pig roast dinner that will include live music, autographs and pictures, and boxing paraphernalia.  Tickets cost $10 per person.  Proceeds from the event will help to support Andrew and Adam in their bid to reach Olympic glory.  All public and media are welcome to attend.

Kooner and Trupish, both Windsor residents, are good chances to reach the podium in Athens, according to Coach Charlie Stewart.  “I would not be surprised if both of them medal in their divisions (54kg & 69kg respectively) and join the next wave of Canadian Olympic heroes,” says Stewart, who was the Canadian Team Coach in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and who will join the coaching team again in Greece.

The Olympic Boxing Competition will last 15 days, from August 15-29, at the new Peristeri Olympic Boxing Hall, in the West Attica Region.  A total of 286 athletes will participate in the Boxing Competition, with Andrew and Adam being the only two boxers representing Canada.  They depart for Athens at the beginning of August.

For more information on the Send-Off Party or to order tickets call (519) 785-1301.