The Tribune

Top Canadian athletes will celebrate the winter Olympics at Exuma’s Grand Isle Resort & Spa in a bid to raise money for their fellow sportsmen.

Sochi Under the Sun, from February 9-23, will see a host of decorated athletes call Grand Isle home in partnership with the Canadian Athletes Now Fund (CAN Fund) and Commonwealth Games Canada.

And on February 11, players from the National Hockey League (NHL) are expected to lead a spirited road hockey game for athletes on Farmer’s Cay.

Athletes include Simon Whitfield, Olympic gold medalist in Sydney (Triathlon); Katie Weatherston, gold medalist in Torino (women’s hockey); Benoit Huot, multiple gold medalist in the Commonwealth and Paralympic Games (swimming); John Morris, gold medalist in Vancouver (curling); Rachelle Viinberg, silver medalist in London (rowing); Desiree Scott, bronze medalist in London (women’s soccer); and beach volleyball Olympians Conrad Leinemann from Sydney and Josh Binstock from London.

Sochi Under the Sun ends in a special banquet for the athletes on February 22nd. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased for $80, with funds going to support Canadian athletes.

Philip Davis, the deputy prime minister, is expected to be in attendance with other senior officials.

Grant Castle, Grand Isle Resort & Spa’s executive director, said that Sochi Under the Sun was an opportunity to showcase the property while also contributing to a meaningful cause.

“Grand Isle is very pleased to play host to such a decorated group,” he added. “We believe this event offers a unique experience and an opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with the athletes.”

Peter Nicholson, an owner at Grand Isle, has already sponsored three Canadian Olympic athletes, who will be competing in Sochi through the CAN Fund: Cody Sorensen in bobsleigh, Ivanie Blondin in speed skating, and Haley Irwin in women’s hockey.