London to Host 2001 Canada Summer Games

LONDON, June 17, 1997 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced jointly with Jack Pelech, Chairman of the Canada Games Council, that London, Ontario, will host the 2001 Canada Summer Games. Also present at the announcement were Patrick O'Brien, Gar Knutson, John Finlay and Joe Fontana, Members of Parliament for London-Fanshawe, Elgin-Middlesex-London, Oxford and London North Centre respectively.

In announcing the winning bid, Minister Copps said: "The Government of Canada is proud to be able to continue supporting the Canada Games as it has done, in partnership with provincial and municipal governments, since the very first Canada Games in Quebec City in 1967. By supporting the Canada Games, we are supporting the development of young Canadian athletes and the sport community that sustains them. The young people involved in the Games are the best that Canada has to offer and they serve as excellent role models for other young Canadians. The Games are a good investment in our future as a nation."

A detailed site evaluation process was undertaken in August 1996 by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, in cooperation with the Canada Games Council, after nine municipalities submitted bids to host the Games. The Ontario Minister of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, Marilyn Mushinski, announced the three finalists last December. Ottawa-Carleton and the Niagara region were the other finalists. The last time Ontario hosted the Games was in 1981, when Thunder Bay staged the Canada Summer Games.

Canada Games Chairman Jack Pelech explained that it was not an easy decision and he commended all nine municipalities involved from the beginning of this process. "The three bids were truly exceptional and demonstrated that a new standard in hosting the Canada Games will be established in 2001."
"I would like to congratulate London for winning the bid to host the 2001 Canada Summer Games, this country's pre-eminent amateur sporting competition," Minister Mushinski said. "The Games provide millions of dollars in economic benefits to the host community and region, and create hundreds of jobs. I am very proud of all Ontarians who enthusiastically participated in the bid process. This is a tribute to the wealth of commitment and civic pride that exist across Ontario!"

The 16 sports to be included in the 2001 Summer Games in London are: athletics (Men|Women), baseball (M), basketball (M|W), canoeing/kayaking (M|W), cycling (M|W), diving (M|W), field hockey (W), rowing (M|W), rugby (M), sailing (M|W), soccer (M|W), softball (M|W), swimming (M|W), tennis (M|W), volleyball (M|W), wrestling (M). Events for athletes with a disability are included in the athletics and swimming competitions.

Information:

Janet Bax
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788

[ Media Room ]

Date created: 1997-06-17

Important Notices






London to Host 2001 Canada Summer Games LONDON, June 17, 1997 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced jointly with Jack Pelech, Chairman of the Canada Games Council, that London, Ontario, will host the 2001 Canada Summer Games. Also present at the announcement were Patrick O'Brien, Gar Knutson, John Finlay and Joe Fontana, Members of Parliament for London-Fanshawe, Elgin-Middlesex-London, Oxford and London North Centre respectively. In announcing the winning bid, Minister Copps said: "The Government of Canada is proud to be able to continue supporting the Canada Games as it has done, in partnership with provincial and municipal governments, since the very first Canada Games in Quebec City in 1967. By supporting the Canada Games, we are supporting the development of young Canadian athletes and the sport community that sustains them. The young people involved in the Games are the best that Canada has to offer and they serve as excellent role models for other young Canadians. The Games are a good investment in our future as a nation." A detailed site evaluation process was undertaken in August 1996 by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, in cooperation with the Canada Games Council, after nine municipalities submitted bids to host the Games. The Ontario Minister of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, Marilyn Mushinski, announced the three finalists last December. Ottawa-Carleton and the Niagara region were the other finalists. The last time Ontario hosted the Games was in 1981, when Thunder Bay staged the Canada Summer Games. Canada Games Chairman Jack Pelech explained that it was not an easy decision and he commended all nine municipalities involved from the beginning of this process. "The three bids were truly exceptional and demonstrated that a new standard in hosting the Canada Games will be established in 2001." "I would like to congratulate London for winning the bid to host the 2001 Canada Summer Games, this country's pre-eminent amateur sporting competition," Minister Mushinski said. "The Games provide millions of dollars in economic benefits to the host community and region, and create hundreds of jobs. I am very proud of all Ontarians who enthusiastically participated in the bid process. This is a tribute to the wealth of commitment and civic pride that exist across Ontario!" The 16 sports to be included in the 2001 Summer Games in London are: athletics (Men\|Women), baseball (M), basketball (M\|W), canoeing/kayaking (M\|W), cycling (M\|W), diving (M\|W), field hockey (W), rowing (M\|W), rugby (M), sailing (M\|W), soccer (M\|W), softball (M\|W), swimming (M\|W), tennis (M\|W), volleyball (M\|W), wrestling (M). Events for athletes with a disability are included in the athletics and swimming competitions. Information: Janet Bax Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage (819) 997-7788 [ Media Room ]

Date created: 1997-06-17			Important Notices