Committee to name chef de mission

THE CANADIAN PRESS

CALGARY -- The Canadian Olympic Committee will announce the country's chef de mission for the 2014 Winter Olympics on Friday in Calgary.

The chef de mission is the team leader and figurehead for the country's athletes while they're competing at the Games. They support athletes in times of crisis and speaks daily to media about the team's performances.

The COC regularly chooses former athletes to lead Olympic mission staff.

Former swimmer Mark Tewksbury is Canada's chef de mission for this year's Summer Games in London. Former diver Sylvie Bernier was chef in 2008 in Bejing. She will be Tewksbury's assistant in London.

Speedskater Nathalie Lambert was chef de mission for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C.

When the mother of figure skater Joannie Rochette died suddenly at the Games of a heart attack, Lambert organized support for her and provided updates to media.

Former hockey player Joe Juneau and former skier Steve Podborski were her assistant chefs in 2010.