February 12, 1999
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Minister announces province's flag bearer for 1999 Canada Winter Games

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, announced today that cross-country skier, Mark Tierney will carry the Newfoundland and Labrador flag at the opening ceremonies for the 1999 Canada Winter Games in Corner Brook.

"Carrying our province's flag at the Canada Games is an honour that has been bestowed on some of the finest athletes in Newfoundland and Labrador. Mark Tierney certainly exemplifies this athletic excellence and is truly deserving of this prestigious honour," said Furey. "His successful career as a cross-country skier is just one example of the high caliber of talent that Newfoundland and Labrador athletes have to offer."

Mark is a 21 year old native of Corner Brook, and is a member of the 1999 Newfoundland and Labrador Canada Winter Games Cross-Country Ski Team. He is currently living in Thunder Bay, Ontario where he attends Lake Head University as a commerce student, and is a member of the Thunder Bay National Training Centre Team since 1996. Mark is the son of Dr. Jim Tierney and the late Jesse Tierney of Corner Brook.

One of Mark Tierney's career highlights was the 1997 Canadian Junior Championships in Corner Brook, where he skied the anchor leg of the gold medal team, winning the open men's relay race in front of a cheering home-town crowd. In all, Mark has won medals at five Canadian junior championships. In 1996, he won a bronze in the junior men's 10 km classic in British Columbia and a silver in Ottawa in 1995, where he was also part of the bronze medal men's relay team. He won a silver in Canmore, Alberta in 1994 in the 10 km free, and a bronze in 1993 in Prince Edward Island in the five km free.

Mark has been a member of Newfoundland and Labrador's Canada Games Cross Country Ski Team since 1995. He started skiing at a very early age, in the Jackrabbit Program and has been racing for 13 years. Toni Roponen, training centre coach, is his personal coach, and Judy May will coach Mark and the Newfoundland and Labrador Cross Country Ski Team for the 1999 Canada Winter Games.

The games are being held in Corner Brook from February 20 to March 6, 1999. For additional information on the Newfoundland and Labrador Canada Winter Games' Team contact: Jim Tee, Chef de Mission, (709) 729-5241.

Media contact: Tara Laing, (709) 729-0928.

1999 02 12 3:10 p.m.