(London, ON) - Tourism London is happy to announce that the City of London has been selected by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport to host the 2018 Ontario Summer Games, scheduled to take place August 3 to 5, 2018. An official announcement will be made tonight at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2016 Ontario Summer Games in Mississauga.
“We are so pleased to host the Ontario Summer Games in 2018,” said Mayor Matt Brown. “London is a sports city through and through. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase all our community has to offer. We look forward to welcoming our province’s elite athletes and passionate sports fans.”
“We are so honored to have been chosen as the host community for the 2018 Ontario Summer Games,” said Cheryl Finn, Director of Sport Tourism with Tourism London. “London has a phenomenal history of successfully hosting multi-sport events and we plan to provide athletes, and their families with an experience in our city that they will never forget. We would like to sincerely thank the Government of Ontario and look forward to hosting this amazing event.”
"Supporting communities across the province is an important part of our plan to Build Ontario Up and bring people together through a shared love of sport and volunteerism. We’re a stronger, more cohesive province when we can come together for events like the 2018 Ontario Summer Games and I know that London will deliver a memorable weekend,” said Eleanor McMahon, Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “The city will benefit tremendously from greater community building, economic activity and sport development and I look forward to working with officials, community leaders and the wonderful people of London as we implement these Games.”
Chair of the London Host Organizing Committee will be Bill Merrylees, Detective Superintendent with the London Police Services, who also serves as President and CEO of the Can-Am Police-Fire Games Federation, and Vice President of the International Police Sport Union.
“This is great and exciting news that London has been selected to host the Ontario Summer Games in 2018,” said Bill. “The City of London has a proven track record of organizing multi-sport events that are athlete focused to ensure the best possible experience. We have great venues and our volunteers will make the athletes and their families feel welcomed. I would like to thank the Ministry for selecting London and wish all of the athletes’ good luck this weekend in Mississauga.”
The Ontario Summer Games are the largest multi-sport event in the province, with over 3,000 youth athletes, coaches, managers, and officials competing in 22-27 different sports. Hosting the event is expected to produce an economic impact of over $6 million dollars for the City of London.
London has previously hosted these Games in 2004, 1996, and 1975.
