Halifax Takes the Torch
The Canada Games torch was officially passed to Halifax today, Aug. 29, as the flame was extinguished at the 2009 Canada Summer Games in Prince Edward Island.
Dartmouth kayaker Hannah Vaughan received the torch on behalf of the Halifax 2011 Canada Games. Ms. Vaughan won three medals for Team Nova Scotia during the second week of the P.E.I. Games.
Ms. Vaughan trains on Lake Banook - a key piece of the legacy left behind from the 1969 Canada Summer Games, the last Canada Games held in Halifax-Dartmouth.
Everyone attending or watching the closing ceremonies on television were invited to come to Halifax in 2011 to compete, contribute, and celebrate the 2011 Canada Winter Games.
"Success at the end of the day for the 2011 Games will be about delivering an event that puts the entire community at the core of the experience, not only athletes, but fans, volunteers, coaches, sponsors, community leaders and the general public," said Jean-Paul Deveau, chair, 2011 Games.
Athletes, fans, residents, and well-known people such as Sidney Crosby and Premier Darrell Dexter participated in a video played at the closing ceremonies, promoting the 2011 Games with the theme of "What will you bring?". The video can be found online at www.canadagames2011.ca
Select staff and volunteers from the Halifax 2011 Canada Games Host Society attended the P.E.I. Summer Games from Aug. 15-29 to observe everything from results to accreditation and accommodations in preparation for the Winter Games.
"We've taken away some great lessons from P.E.I. and we will work hard over the next year and a half to first and foremost put on an exceptional sporting event," said Chris Morrissey, CEO, 2011 Games. "We want to make these Halifax Games unique and special for everyone involved."
The 2011 Canada Winter Games will be the largest multi-sport event in Halifax's history and the city's first Canada Winter Games. More than 2700 athletes will come to compete in over 20 sports, attracting thousands of visitors, VIPs, officials and media.
Beyond the impact on the sporting community, the Games are expected to create about $80 million for the local economy.
More information on the Games can be found at www.canadagames2011.ca.