Canada is celebrating the 150th anniversary of Confederation, and for the third time in its history Manitoba will be hosting the Canada Games.
This year, the eyes of the nation will be on Winnipeg from July 28 to August 13 for the 2017 Canada Summer Game, dubbed the hottest summer in half a century. Featuring 16 sports over 250 events, the two-week event will be an unrivalled celebration of sport and culture. 20,000 visitors and over 4,000 amateur athletes and coaches are expected to come together to mark the 50th anniversary of the Games, as well as the nation's 150th birthday.
In addition to the extensive schedule of sporting events taking place throughout the city, key events are also being held in nearby regional communities such as Gimli (sailing) and Birds Hill (triathlon,cycling and open water swimming). One of Winnipeg's most historic sites, The Forks, will host the Canada Games Festival, where families will celebrate with live music, entertainment and cultural activities. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be held at the MTS Centre (Winnipeg's downtown hockey arena) and Investors Group Field, (the city's football stadium) respectively. These events will celebrate the success of the athletes, showcase Winnipeg to the nation and pass the torch to the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta.
Canada's largest multi-sports event for young athletes has been held every two years since 1967 when the first ever Canada game took place in Québec City with 1,800 athletes from provinces across the country. Since then the city of Brandon in Manitoba hosted the event twice; the first time in the winter of 1979 followed by the summer version of the Games in the summer of 1997.
As the countdown to the games continue, visit www.canadagames.ca/2017 for more information on the sporting events, the cultural festival or to purchase tickets.
