CGC commemorates EDMONTON 78!
OTTAWA - Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is commemorating the 30th anniversary of Canada's most successful international multi-sport games with a four-part series, entitledEdmonton 78.
Edmonton 78 was launched today on commonwealthgames.ca and looks back at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and the legacy they left on Alberta’s capital.
The 1978 Games were Canada’s most successful multi-sport competition to date, as the Great White North topped the medal count with 109-medals, including 45-golds. However, the greater success was in how they put Edmonton in the spotlight, creating opportunities for the city to host other international competitions including the 1983 World University Games (Universiade), the2001 IAAF Championship in Athletics and matches from the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
“In 1978, the City of Edmonton was about to embark on one of the greatest decades in Canadian sport history,” says Edmonton 78 host Alison Sandor. “After speaking with people in Edmonton we found that even 30 years later, the Commonwealth Games are still a tremendous source of civic pride.”
The series includes interviews with gold medalist John Primrose (shooting) as well as Games administrators Rick LeLacheur, vice-president marketing and communications of the Edmonton Host Society and the mayor of the Athletes Village, Chuck Moser.
Also featured is veteran journalist Terry Jones.
“30 years ago the City of Edmonton proudly hosted the Commonwealth Games and the impact of that event is still apparent today,” said John Bower, manager of communications for CGC. “The intent of this series is to show the benefits of hosting major international games in Canada and the positive long-term impacts that a summer sport games can have on the host community.”
To view the videos, Quicktime player must be installed on your computer.
About host Alison Sandor
Alison Sandor is the bilingual host and producer of Edmonton 78. Born in Montreal, the Ottawa resident is completing her honours Journalism and Mass Communications degree atCarleton University and has previously served as an on-air interviewer for Rogers Televisionand for university sport coverage on the Streaming Sports Network.
About Commonwealth Games Canada
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is a not-for-profit multi-sport organization that is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games. Since 1930, CGC has been strengthening sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a tool for development.
For further information about Team Canada, the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games, 2010 Commonwealth Games or our International Development through Sport programs, please visit our web site at www.commonwealthgames.ca.
For more information, please contact:
John Bower
Manager of Communications
Commonwealth Games Association of Canada
613 244-6868 Ext. 230
819 921-8149 (Cell)
john@commonwealthgames.ca
