NEWS: News Release
August 29, 2009
TEAM ONTARIO WINS CANADA SUMMER GAMES FLAG
McGuinty Government Supports Ontario’s High-Performance Athletes
NEWS
More than 400 athletes, coaches and managers are returning home as champions after Team Ontario’s victory at the 2009 Canada Summer Games. Team Ontario has now won the Canada Summer Games flag nine times in a row.
Ontario athletes showcased their individual and collective talents in 18 sports during the Games, which were held August 15-29 in Summerside and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Supporting Ontario athletes is an important part of the government’s plan to build sport in Ontario, and improve the performance and number of Ontario athletes competing and succeeding at national and international levels.
In an effort to further help the province’s athletes compete and succeed and build a legacy of sport infrastructure, Ontario is leading the bid to host the 2015 Pan / Parapan American Games in the Greater Golden Horseshoe region. Investing in the Pan Am Games could create 15,000 thousand jobs, attract upwards of 250,000 tourists and bring 10,000 athletes and team officials to Ontario.
QUOTES
“We are proud to have so many talented athletes in our province. Their drive for excellence inspires Ontarians to lead healthy, active lives. Our government is committed to investing in sport and to helping high-performance athletes achieve their full potential.”
– Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion
“I congratulate every member of Team Ontario on their outstanding performances, dedication and commitment to fair play which led to the winning of the Canada Games flag. Our athletes, coaches and managers are incredible role models for future Canada Games participants.”
– Blair McIntosh, Chef de Mission for Team Ontario and Director of Games, Sport Alliance of Ontario
QUICK FACTS
- Approximately 62 per cent of athletes that compete for Team Ontario go on to represent Canada at the Olympic Games.
- Ontario’s Quest for Gold program has provided more than $42 million in direct and indirect assistance to athletes since 2006. Eighty athletes that competed in P.E.I. receive funding through the Quest for Gold program.
LEARN MORE
Find out more about Ontario’s Quest for Gold Program.
Get information about the Ontario Games Program.
Learn more about Ontario’s 2015 Pan / Parapan American Games bid.
Wendy Vincent , Minister’s Office, 416-326-8497
Julie Rosenberg, Communications, 416-326-4833
