Release: TORONTO 2015 celebrates one year countdown
July 11, 2014
LARGEST-EVER PAN AM TEAM PREPPING AS TORONTO 2015 CELEBRATES ONE YEAR COUNTDOWN
The COC shifts preparations into high-gear as more than 1,100 athletes, coaches and team members get ready for the TORONTO 2015 Games
TORONTO – Today marks the one year countdown to the TORONTO 2015 Games, which was celebrated with the unveiling of the official countdown clock in Nathan Phillips Square. Thanks to an historic $2.6 million investment by the Canadian Olympic Committee into the National Sports Federations, every athlete eligible to compete will be fully supported, resulting in Canada’s largest-ever Pan Am team.
Crowds in the downtown area joined Canada’s TORONTO 2015 Games Chef de Mission, Curt Harnett, to unveil the official countdown clock.
“We are one year out and our athletes are working hard to be the best they can be for competition against the rest of the Americas here in Toronto,” said Curt Harnett, four-time Olympian and three-time Olympic medallist. “Now is the time for us to remain focused and push forward as we approach the Games.”
“Canada’s 2015 Pan American Team is expected to be the largest team ever fielded at an international multi-sport competition,” said Marcel Aubut, President, Canadian Olympic Committee. “With the COC’s unprecedented investment to support all eligible athletes, we are giving Canada the best chance at winning. We’re serious about success.”
In addition to the amazing experience of competing on home soil, competing at the Pan Am Games will provide Canadian athletes crucial major Games experience in the run-up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
As with all major Games under its watch, the COC works hand-in-glove with its valued sport partners in Canada’s National Sport Federations, Own the Podium and Canadian Sport Centres to deliver a best-in-class Games preparation process for Canada’s athletes.
The TORONTO 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games will take place from July 10-26 and August 7-15 respectively in Toronto, Canada, with various events also held in communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
-30-
Canadian Olympic Committee Media Office:
Jane Almeida, Senior Manager, Media Relations
Tel: 416-324-4120 / Cell: 416-540-1788
Email: jalmeida@olympic.ca
Luc Beaudin, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations
Cell: 514-206-6720
Email: lbeaudin@olympic.ca