Toronto Presents Strong Bid For 2015 Pan American Games
Toronto 2015 Pan American Games Bid representatives present a copy of Toronto’s Bid Book to Premier McGuinty
Today, representatives from Toronto’s bid for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games presented a copy of the Bid Book – the formal submission to host the Games – to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
“We have a strong plan to stage an exceptional Pan Am Games,” said the Hon. David Peterson, Chair of Toronto 2015. “Our plan will provide a memorable, world-class experience for the athletes and a valuable legacy for the community to enjoy for years to follow.”
The Games would create 15,000 jobs in construction, Games support and operations, attract 250,000 tourists, bring 10,000 athletes and team officials together, and shine a spotlight on Toronto for the 25-day competition. In addition, Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe region would gain much-needed new sports infrastructure and legacy fund.
“The Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games will be more than just a competition,” said Michael Chambers, President, Canadian Olympic Committee. “It will leave a lasting sports legacy for Ontario’s youth and contribute to the long-term development and support of our athletes.”
Bid Chair David Peterson is presenting Toronto’s Bid Book to Mario Vázquez Raña, President of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) in Mexico tomorrow. PASO represents the 42 nations across the Caribbean and the Americas whose National Olympic Committees will determine the host for the 2015 Games.
The 233-page document outlines how Toronto proposes to host the 2015 Pan Am Games, including a comprehensive venue and accommodation plan, transportation and security arrangements, finance, cultural program, marketing of the Games and more.
Highlights of Toronto’s bid include:
• Solid financial commitments from all three levels of government in Canada, as well as Games deficit guaranteed by the Province of Ontario;
• World-class existing sporting facilities and new venues built to meet or exceed International Sport Federation (ISF) standards, including the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, the Pan American Aquatics Centre, two additional 50-metre
• A $70 million legacy fund to encourage and support the long-term development of amateur sport and the support the ongoing operation and maintenance of major Games legacy facilities;
• A newly constructed, self-contained, high-capacity and high-quality Pan American Village at West Don Lands on Toronto’s waterfront; and
• Investments in economic development, community building, cultural enterprise, social priorities, environmental stewardship and innovation in host communities.
The Pan Am Games is a major international multi-sport event, held every four years for athletes of the 42 PASO member nations. The Pan American Games consists of all Summer Olympic sports, plus other events selected by the Pan American Sports Organization, and serve as an Olympic-qualifier for a number of the participating sports. Other bidding cities are Lima, Peru and Bogota, Colombia. The last edition of the Games was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in July 2007 and the next will take place in Guadalajara, Mexico in October 2011.
