Chef Preparing for 2005 Games

Russell MacDonald of Groves Point, Cape Breton, will lead Team Nova Scotia to the 2005 Canada Summer Games in Regina, Sask.

The country's largest amateur multi-sport event will take place from Aug. 6 to 20, 2005. As Chef de Mission, Mr. MacDonald will gather a team of volunteer mission staff to co-ordinate Nova Scotia athletes' participation in the Games.

"Through his career and community work, Russell has spent his life helping young Nova Scotians achieve their full potential," said Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald. "He's been a strong team player for Nova Scotia in the last two Canada Games, and he'll be a strong leader for our young athletes as they prepare for Regina in 2005."

The 2005 chef is a retired teacher and school board administrator and an active member of his community. He has coached local baseball teams and a variety of school sports teams. He has also volunteered with Scouts Canada and organized fundraising events such as the Terry Fox Run.

Mr. MacDonald first served on Nova Scotia's mission staff at the 2001 Summer Games in London, Ont. He was the assistant chef for the 2003 Winter Games in Bathurst-Campbellton, N.B.

Nova Scotia won the Claude Hardy award for the best mission staff at both of these Games. The team also won the Centennial Cup at the 2001 Games. The cup is awarded to the team that makes the most improvement from one Summer Games to the next, or from one Winter Games to the next.

"We worked hard and were proud to win the Centennial Cup in 2001, and my goal is to work with our athletes, coaches and managers to build on that success in 2005," said Mr. MacDonald. "Judging by the solid performance of Nova Scotia athletes at national competitions this summer, we should be in a good position to improve our rankings in many sports at the Games."

Nova Scotia has the only fully volunteer Canada Games mission staff in the country. Applications will soon be accepted for an assistant Chef de Mission and other mission staff for the 2005 Games.