MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 24, 2012) - Petro-Canada is continuing its legacy of helping Canadian athletes and coaches dream big by supporting 50 athlete and coach pairings through the Fuelling Athlete and Coaching Excellence (FACE) program.

Working with National Sport Organizations across Canada, Petro-Canada's FACE program provides developing (pre-carded) Canadian athlete and coach pairings with $8,000 in grants. These resources go a long way in helping athletes achieve national carded status and coaches improve their skills over the long term. 

"Congratulations to the recipients of this year's FACE program," said Steven Keith, Director of Brand Loyalty and Marketing Partnerships at Suncor Energy. "We are very proud to have been supporting athletes and coaches over the last 24 years as they pursue their Olympic and Paralympic dreams."

Since 1988, Petro-Canada's FACE program has provided more than 2,300 athletes and coaches with more than $8 million in direct financial support.

"The FACE grant enabled me to be a full-time athlete and not worry about working," said Leah Callahan, a 2012 FACE recipient and Olympic hopeful from Calgary, Alta. "Because of the FACE program; I was able to pursue my dreams of competing at the international level."

"By supporting up-and-coming talent, you are helping athletes realize their dreams," said Dave Richer, Boccia athlete and FACE recipient from Ste. Julie, Que., who qualified for the Canadian Paralympic team in March. "Amazingly, ever since I found out I was fortunate enough to receive a FACE grant I've only had good news: a spot on the Paralympic team and receiving my national carded status! You have lit the flame and now it's up to me to carry the torch higher! The biggest victory is confidence in oneself."

Coaches who receive grants often use the funding to build their skills or purchase equipment that can be used to benefit multiple athletes within the same sport discipline.

"The fact that the Petro-Canada FACE grant includes both athletes and coaches helps in the commitment and performance of both. With this funding, I can continue to commit the time needed to help my athletes reach their full potential," said Keith Loach, skeleton coach.

In the past the FACE program has provided financial grants to Canada's top athletes, including 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games medalists: Alexandre Bilodeau, Hayley Wickenheiser, Kaillie Humphries, John Morris, Kristina Groves, Mike Robertson, Jim Armstrong and Ina Forest. Other notable FACE recipients include Mark Tewksbury, Canada's Chef de Mission at the 2012 London Games, Marianne Limpert, silver medalist at the 1996 Olympic Games and Annie Pelletier, bronze medalist at the 1996 Olympic Games.

All Olympic and Paralympic sports are eligible for FACE program funding and follow criteria established by Petro-Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee to qualify. FACE was formerly known as the Olympic Torch Scholarship Fund.

For more on the FACE program, visit www.facebook.com/dreambig, or follow us on Twitter @iwilldreambig. Suncor Energy is the proud owner of Petro-Canada.

Suncor Energy is Canada's premier integrated energy company. Suncor's operations include oil sands development and upgrading, conventional and offshore oil and gas production, petroleum refining, and product marketing under the Petro-Canada brand. While working to responsibly develop petroleum resources, Suncor is also developing a growing renewable energy portfolio. Suncor's common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.

For more information about Suncor Energy please visit our web site at www.suncor.com or follow us on twitter @SuncorEnergy