Pan Am Games a Win for the Entire Sport System
OTTAWA, November 9, 2009 – Commonwealth Games Canada today added its voice to the chorus of congratulations following Toronto’s successful bid to host the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games.
“We know from our own hosting experiences that these Games will bring extensive, tangible benefits to generations of Canadian athletes and coaches,” stated Thomas Jones, CEO of Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC). “Congratulations to the Toronto 2015 Bid Committee, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), and all three levels of government. We’re also thrilled about the substantial investments in sport infrastructure in a part of the country that desperately needs it. New facilities and upgrades to existing ones will provide essential venues for world-class training and competition, and will undoubtedly strengthen future Games bids.”
Mr. Jones added that CGC is looking forward to working closely with the COC, the CPC and the Toronto 2015 organizing committee to share knowledge and experience around hosting and to leverage the event for the benefit of the entire Canadian sport community.
“There’s such a powerful and palpable sense of momentum right across the Canadian sport system,” noted Dr. Andrew Pipe, President of Commonwealth Games Canada. “Canadian athletes and coaches are poised for the podium in Vancouver and there’s every reason to expect awesome performances by Team Canada at the Commonwealth Games next October in Delhi.”
“Canada’s sport system is becoming better integrated and we’re already drawing the links between Delhi 2010, Glasgow 2014, and Toronto 2015,” confirmed Scott Stevenson, CGC’s Director of Sport. “Delhi will help prepare our athletes for the London 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. And the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will likely serve as a significant benchmark event for the Pan Ams and Parapan Ams the following year in Toronto. It really is an extraordinary period for Canadian sport.”
Canada has hosted the Commonwealth Games a total of four times: Hamilton (1930), Vancouver(1954), Edmonton (1978), and Victoria (1994).
About Commonwealth Games Canada
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the international franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. Led by its volunteer Board and supported by professional staff, CGC is committed to strengthening sport in Canada and throughout the Commonwealth.
For more information:
Thomas Jones
Chief Executive Officer
Commonwealth Games Canada
(613) 244-6868
