More than 250 athletes will converge on the city of London, Ontario for the 2017 Synchro Canada Espoir Synchronized Swimming Championships.
The athletes participating in the event will range in age from 11 to 15 and will come from across Canada to take part in the event May 30-June 4, 2017 at the Western University Recreation Centre pool. The announcement was made today by Synchro Canada.
Western will also provide the facilities for the event’s Athlete Village in its Essex Hall. Synchro Canada will work closely with the host club, the London Synchro Club, to create a Local Organizing Committee to stage the competition.
“London has a rich history of hosting major sporting events at all levels and we are thrilled to partner with the London Synchro Club, our colleagues at Synchro Swim Ontario and many Ontario area volunteers to deliver this important developmental competition,” said Jackie Buckingham, Chief Executive Officer, Synchro Canada. “We are also pleased to be using the facilities at Western at this national level. The Olympians of tomorrow will come from this very talented group of young athletes and we cannot wait to present this event to friends, family and spectators in the London area.”
The event will have a major economic impact on London, estimated at over one million dollars. The Synchro Canada Organizing Committee alone will use 1200 hotel room nights, in addition to others booked by family, friends and spectators attending the event. “We are so pleased to welcome synchronized swimmers from across Canada for this competition,” said London’s Mayor Matt Brown. “This once again proves London is a sports city through and through, and a premier destination for sport tourism.”
“We are excited that London has been selected to host this championship,” said John Winston, General Manager of Tourism London. “This will continue to enhance our reputation as a national sporting destination.”
London Synchro Club President Louise Koza, who will be acting as chair of the organizing committee, is looking forward to welcoming the Canadian Synchro community to London: “London Synchro Club members are committed to devoting skills, energy and time to make this a memorable experience for athletes and coaches. The accommodations and venue at Western University provide an outstanding location for athletes to compete and deliver top performances.”
The Synchro Canada Espoir Championships are broadcast in Canada and around the world through live streaming on digital platforms. Recent host cities for this event have been Winnipeg, MB (2016), Saint John, NB (2015), Kamloops, BC (2014) and Ottawa, ON (2013).
A preliminary information package, containing information about the competition and the Athlete Village, is available for download.
