Beckie Scott joins anti-tobacco campaign

Beckie Scott joins anti-tobacco campaign{mosimage}CALGARY, Alberta — Two of Canada’s most decorated female athletes have joined the fight to reduce tobacco use among Alberta’s youth as part of the Sport For Life program the Calgary Olympic Development Organization (CODA) helps operate in partnership with AADAC. Olympic gold medalist in cross-country skiing Beckie Scott, along with Christine Nordhagen, Canada’s first Olympic women’s wrestler, have signed on as ambassadors for Team Sport For Life to help promote the program’s message of adapting active, non-smoking lifestyles.

“I think the message that Sport For Life brings to children is extremely important, and I am excited to use my social experiences to reach out to Alberta’s youth,” said Scott. “I feel it is important, as an athlete, to speak about my personal journey and emphasize the positive influence that sport can have on encouraging healthy lifestyles.” Sport For Life is a partnership between the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), CODA, and Canadian Sport Centre Calgary (CSCC), which focuses on using sport to positively influence youth, and impact the community on issues of health and wellness.

Scott will deliver positive tobacco-free messaging to school-aged children in grades four to six across the province of Alberta in the new year. Scott will also voice Team Sport For Life messaging during a Beckie Scott Day in her hometown of Vermilion, Alberta, and will write postcards from the road, which will follow the cross-country skier as she competes on the World Cup circuit.

Sport For Life’s current Olympic roster, which includes three-time Olympic bronze medalist, Clara Hughes (speed skating and cycling) and Olympic gold medalist Kelly Béchard (women’s hockey), who both joined the program in its inauguration last year, and have signed on for a second stint.