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The Lima mascot standing in front of a castle like building

STRIVE: Countdown to Lima

As the anticipation builds towards Tokyo 2020, we‘re lucky enough to get a glimpse into what the Americas have to offer when it comes to the world’s top athletes.

From July 26th to August 11th you can watch Team Canada’s finest compete in Lima, Peru with 40 other nations and in a total of 424 events spanned across 39 sports.  The last Pan Am Games were right here in our backyard, in Toronto 2015 where we had a front row ticket to see some of our most talented athletes in the largest multi-sport event ever held in Canada.

The Pan Am Games often showcase a few different sports than the Olympic Games, like bowling, water skiing, racquetball and squash. This year it also offers a sneak peek at a new Olympic sport for Tokyo 2020 – surfing.

Ellie Black of Halifax celebrates her gold medal in floor exercise in artistic gymnastics competition at the PanAmerican Games in Toronto, Wednesday, July 15, 2015.

As the second most important sporting event in the Olympic circuit, getting our athletes to the Pan Am Games is crucial to their success and gives them the jumpstart they need to continue to push boundaries to get to Tokyo and beyond. It allows athletes to compete at a large-scale international event where energies are overwhelming, the stakes are higher, and they get the preparation and conditioning needed to continue to the Olympic Games. The Pan Am’s set the stage for the Olympics and the Canadian Olympic Committee sends the best athletes Canada has to offer.

RELATED: Douglas Vandor named Team Canada’s Lima 2019 Chef de Mission

As a donor, you’re giving our Team Canada athletes and their coaches the greatest opportunity. The opportunity to qualify and compete in these Games, to further their Olympic dreams and their chances of standing on the podium, representing Canada. You are allowing them to excel in training, get specialized medical attention to enable them to go the distance. When you support our athletes, you support our entire nation.

Warner after finishing the Pan Am Games decathlon 1500m in 4:24.73 and breaking the Canadian points record in the 10-event discipline. Warner needed to run 4:29.5 or faster on July 23, 2015 in Toronto.

Come July, make sure to watch our amazing Team Canada athletes compete for greatness.  With your support, our athletes will reach new heights.

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