Hosting the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games in Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe is cause for all of us to celebrate—but it's more than just fun and games.
The Games are also important to Ontario—and for all Canadians.
The Games mean opportunity—for our hard working athletes, our kids and families, for healthy communities, for visitors and for potential new investors who will see Ontario at its best.
The Games are a showcase—Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe Region will host more than 10,000 athletes, coaches and delegates from 42 countries, and up to 250,000 tourists who come to cheer them on.
We already know that Ontario celebrates diversity and is one of the most multicultural places in the world. Now, our visitors, and viewers throughout the Western Hemisphere, will know about us too.
Hosting the Games brings a legacy that benefits Ontarians for years to come in many ways. We will see economic development through building new and improved sport and recreation infrastructure. The focus will continue to sharpen on high performance sport as well as healthy, active living. There will be a valuable social legacy, with newly skilled volunteers, and perhaps the nicest thing about playing host is that it gives Ontarians the chance not just to impress our visitors but to inspire ourselves.
That's the real legacy—we'll be proud of Ontario for all it has and will continue to offer.
* Trademarks of the Toronto Organizing Committee for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games
