Hbc Kicks Off Countdown to Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with Launch of Bold Team Canada Gear and $600,000 Donation to Athletes

    - Canada's first Eco-friendly athlete uniforms made with materials such
    as bamboo and organic cotton -

    TORONTO, April 30 /CNW/ - Hudson's Bay Company today unveiled the highly
anticipated clothing collection that Canadian athletes will wear at the
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The collection is eco-friendly and was designed
with athletes' input to ensure the Canadian team has ideal clothing to excel
in Beijing's hot summer temperatures. The replica wear is being launched in
Bay and Zellers stores across Canada, as well as online at www.hbc.com.
    The Company also announced donations of $300,000 to the Own the Podium
2010 initiative to benefit Canada's winter sports system, and $300,000 to the
Road to Excellence program to benefit Canada's summer sport system. Both are
part of the Canadian Olympic Foundation's action plan to create world-class
programs, policies and financing that will help to place Canada amongst the
top nations at future Olympic and Paralympic Games.
    "Hbc has a proud history of supporting Canadian athletes as they train
and compete at the Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Rob Johnston,
President, Hbc. "It is with great pleasure that we once again show our pride
by outfitting the Canadian Olympic team, as well as providing financial
support, in their quest for gold at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games."
    "The Canadian team is well known for its Olympic clothing and we are
confident that the stylish and functional uniforms that Hbc has created for
the team in Beijing will be worn with pride by athletes and sought after by
the public," said Chris Rudge, CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee. "I also
want to recognize Hbc's generous donation to the Own the Podium 2010 and Road
to Excellence programs as well as their ongoing support of Canadian athletes."
    The latest Olympic collection is a highly-styled fusion of Canadian and
Chinese symbolism. 'Canada' is proudly written in both English and Chinese and
the maple leaf is used on select items. The primary colours for the collection
are red and white, with further colour inspiration coming from the five
elements of Chinese astrology: Earth, Wood, Fire, Water and Metal. Chinese
symbolism is used in the form of the lucky number eight, both as a numeral and
an octagon.
    Hbc's Olympic design team worked with Canadian Olympic athletes from
across the country to design the collection. Over 50 former and current summer
Olympians participated in focus groups in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and
Montreal and provided valuable feedback and suggestions that contributed to
the goal of creating a team uniform package that exceeds the athletes' fashion
and functional needs. Many athletes were unprepared for the heat they
experienced in Athens and asked that clothing be appropriate for the expected
high temperatures in Beijing. In response, the clothing incorporates
performance fabrics that provide UV protection, four way stretch, odor
resistance, and wicking and cooling properties for ultimate comfort. The
clothing is also eco-friendly, using materials such as bamboo, cotton blends,
cacona and organic cotton. Most of the pieces will be available for sale as
replica wear both in Bay and Zellers stores, online at www.hbc.com, at 
Canada House and the BC Pavilion during the Olympic Games in Beijing.
    The collection includes special 'team-only' pieces that will not be for
sale to the public. These include the opening ceremony outfit and the podium
jacket. The designs for parade wear - the clothing worn in the Opening
Ceremony - and the clothing designed for the medal podium will only be
unveiled at the 2008 Olympic Games. Canada's Olympic team members in Beijing
will each receive 25 items, as part of the 2008 Team package, including
leisure wear, jackets, pants and shorts, hoodies, t-shirts, shoes and luggage.
    "I'm happy that Hbc took the time to consult with athletes on the design
of the team uniforms and has created cool, eco-friendly outfits that will meet
our needs in Beijing yet clearly identify us as Canadian," said rhythmic
gymnast Alexandra Orlando of Toronto, who has already qualified for the
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
    Hbc is the Official Clothing and Luggage Supplier to the Canadian Olympic
team and the Official Department Store Partner and General Merchandise
Retailer in Canada until 2012. The Hbc Foundation has also committed to
raising $20 million dollars through 2012 to help fund our athletes, their
training facilities and their national sports organizations. To date, the
Company has already raised nearly $6 million toward its goal. Funds are raised
on Canada Day at the Hbc Run for Canada in communities across the country and
an annual charity golf tournament.

    The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) 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.

    Hbc is Canada's largest diversified general merchandise retailer,
operating in department store (the Bay), mass merchandise (Zellers), specialty
(Home Outfitters) and discount (Fields) formats. With more than 600 retail
outlets and nearly 70,000 associates located in every province in Canada, Hbc
provides Canadians with stylish, quality merchandise at great value, through
retail banners focused on exceptional customer service. Hbc is a Canadian
retail leader in corporate social responsibility, and the fifth annual Hbc CSR
report can be found at www.hbc.com.

    Apparel Images available at:
    http://www.hbc.com/hbc/mediacentre/gallery/default.asp?intCategoryId=8.

For further information: Katherine Raso, Hbc Public Relations, Office
[phone], Mobile [phone], [e-mail],
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