Canadian Athletes Unite Behind Halifax 2014

Halifax's bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games received more support - this time from Canada's top international athletes.

Representatives at the annual AthletesCAN Forum passed a motion to support the Halifax 2014 bid during a weekend conference in Fredericton, N.B.

"Having the support of Canada's most talented high-performance athletes is a tremendous boost to the Halifax 2014 bid," said Scott Logan, Halifax 2014 CEO. "Support from athletes who have competed in other international competitions and sporting events shows that our bid is focused on creating conditions for optimal athletic performance."

The forum is the largest and most inclusive gathering of Canada's national athletes outside of competition with representatives from more than 40 sports. The athletes noted the importance of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in creating a lasting impact on Canadian sport development.

"The support that national team athletes have given to the Halifax 2014 bid reflects the level of importance we put on being able to compete at home and perform in front of a home crowd," said Michael Smith, past president of AthletesCAN. "With two winter Olympics to Canada's credit, a Commonwealth Games in this country would create a lasting legacy for our summer athletes and would have a positive impact on the future of Canadian sport. I applaude Halifax's effort."

Representing Halifax 2014, Thomas Jones, CEO of Commonwealth Games Canada, and Frank Garner, director of sport for Halifax 2014, used the forum as an opportunity to meet with athletes, reinforcing the impact the Games will have on Canadian sport through new programs and facilities.

"As we continue to plan for the Games we are focused on inspiring a generation of future athletes by creating opportunities to improve access to sport facilities and programs," said Mr. Garner, responding to the support pledged by the athletes. "These athletes are a living example of the power of sport and the positive impact it can have on our communities."

Mr. Garner went on to invite AthletesCAN to nominate an athlete representative to join the Halifax 2014 Sport Advisory Committee to ensure they are involved in the planning of the 2014 Games.

The Commonwealth Games are an international sport and cultural event held every four years in which athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories compete. In December 2005, Halifax won the right to be Canada's candidate city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

In competition with Glasgow, Scotland, and Abuja, Nigeria, the Halifax 2014 bid committee is now focused on developing and winning the international bid, which will be awarded by the Commonwealth Games Federation on Nov. 9, 2007, in Sri Lanka.