Flashing Back to 1969 for 40th Anniversary of Games

"Look Out World!" was the rallying cry splashed across front pages and echoed by thousands who gathered to celebrate the first Canada Summer Games held in 1969 in Halifax-Dartmouth.

This week marks the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Games. In honour of the milestone, the Halifax 2011 Canada Games Host Society is celebrating the past and looking to the future. Halifax will host its first Canada Winter Games in February 2011.

"In 1969, I was an 11-year-old boy watching Nova Scotia win the men's war canoe final from the shores of Lake Banook," said Jean-Paul Deveau, chair of the 2011 Games board of directors. "Ever since then, I've been looking forward to seeing the excitement of the Games return to my hometown. That dream will finally be realized in 2011 when Halifax hosts the Canada Winter Games."

Most remember August 1969 as the Summer of Love, but for the people of Halifax-Dartmouth and our country's best young athletes, it was all about sport, as records were set, goals were realized and new dreams took flight. The impact is still felt in the '69 Games venues, like Centennial Pool, Huskies Stadium and Beazley Field.

1969 Games participant Judi Rice recalled the moment when she entered Saint Mary's Huskies Stadium for the opening ceremonies with Team Nova Scotia.

"It was surreal," she said. "I remember Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Premier Robert Stanfield were there. Team Nova Scotia was introduced and the crowds were cheering so loudly. We were all so proud to host and be part of the first Summer Games."

Ms. Rice is one of several former athletes whose 1969 Games stories will be featured in a special 1969 section of 2011 Games website. The site will also feature a "virtual flashback" of archival photos and videos from the historic event.

Halifax Regional Municipality will proclaim Aug. 15-22 and 23-29 Canada Games Weeks. During this time, the Canada Games flag will be flown outside City Hall, paying tribute to the history of the 1969 Games and heralding the city's next Games in 2011.

Thursday, Aug. 13, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., visitors to the Halifax Ferry Terminal can go on a trip back through time through archival video and photo exhibits, memorabilia displays, classic 1969 tunes and retro activities that pay tribute to the legacies of the 1969 Games. The event will be hosted by the 2011 Games Host Society, in partnership with The Chronicle Herald, NewCap Radio and the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.

More information on the 1969 Games' 40th anniversary can be found at www.canadagames2011.ca/1969games .