(London, ON) – The Canada Games 50th Anniversary flag will be flown at London City Hall on Thursday, June 15th, 2017 as part of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Canada Games, Canada’s largest multi-sport and cultural event for youth.
As a Canada 150 Signature project, a unique 50th anniversary Canada Games flag is travelling across Canada celebrating each of the past Host Communities. Its ultimate destination will be the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg on July 28th.
London hosted the Canada Summer Games from August 10 – 25, 2001 and preparations are currently underway for London to host the Ontario Summer Games in 2018.
Tourism London will also be sharing a throwback photo from the 2001 Games each day this week, and is inviting others to do the same for a chance to win a Canada Games 50th Anniversary commemorative scarf.
‘’The Canada Games Flag Relay is an exciting tradition that re-ignites the passion of the Canada Games in past Host Communities and spreads the spirit of the Games throughout the nation,’’ said Tom Quinn, Chairman of the Canada Games Council. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to see the flag trek across the country celebrating all that each past host community has built for the Canada Games property.’’
In 2001, London hosted the Games and our community has benefitted from its legacies ever since most notably, the building of the Canada Games Aquatic Centre which is used by hundreds of community members on a daily basis."London has become a premier sport hosting destination and it all started with the 2001 Canada Summer Games” said Cheryl Finn, Director of Sport Tourism at Tourism London. “The event was fantastic for the community, leading to the construction of the Canada Games Aquatic Centre which is now an integral part of the community. Since then, we've hosted a number of other large sporting events like the Memorial Cup and World Figure Skating Championships, but it was really the Canada Summer Games that got us started.
"While the primary reasons for continuing to hold the Canada Games are to contribute to sport and athlete development across the country, the Canada Games are also about community development and pride. In fact, the Canada Games include economic, social and cultural benefits that impact the host region and province as well as the participants, volunteers and spectators who experience the Games.
In its 50 year history, the Canada Games has cumulatively invested over $250 million in capital projects across the country.
The 2017 Canada Games Flag Relay officially launched on February 11th in Quebec City, host of the very first Canada Games back in 1967. This edition of the Flag Relay is the first time that each past Host Community is engaged and will be hosting an event to commemorate their Games.
For more information about when the Canada Games were held in our city, visit: canadagames.ca/host-societies
To find out where the flag will travel next, visit: canadagames.ca/events-calendar
#CanadaGames50th
#Canada150
