Opening Ceremony of the 2009 Canada Games

Her Excellency officially opened the 2009 Canada Games. “I am extremely pleased to be at these Games which celebrate the excellence of our athletes. I salute the efforts they have made as well as the courage and perseverance they have shown to attend this important competition”.

Since 1967, the Canada Games have evolved to become a national competition for Canadian athletes. It includes divisions for persons with disabilities and an arts component called the National Artist Program.

These Games mark the end of Larry Smith’s term as Canada Games Chairman. The 2009 Games are being organized and staged by the Prince Edward Island 2009 Canada Games Host Society, an incorporated not-for-profit organization, in co-operation with the national body, the Canada Games Council.

“As our country prepares to welcome youth from around the world to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, you, the youth of Canada, will show that it is possible to reach the highest peaks when you put your heart into it and dream big. You will prove to the world that sport breaks down every barrier between us, and I am counting on you, the next generation of young athletes, to defend the values of peace, openness and solidarity that form such an integral part of good sportsmanship.”

Close to 425 athletes, artists and volunteers representing the province of Quebec are taking part in the 2009 Canada Games.

The Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honorable Stephen Harper, attended the opening of the 2009 Canada Games and celebrated Canadian athletes taking part in the largest Canadian sporting event leading up to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Nova Scotia has more than 300 athletes competing in 18 sports during the 2009 Canada Summer Games. The province will host the next Canada Winter Games, in 2011.

Almost 400 athletes, volunteer coaches, managers and mission staff participate in the 2009 Canada Games from Newfoundland and Labrador. During the opening ceremony, some of the athletes did not hesitate to use team effort to hold their flag as high as they could!

The Manitoba athlete delegation was high spirited! About 390 athletes of the province are taking part in the 2009 Canada Games.

The opening ceremony was held at Credit Union Place in Summerside, on Saturday, August 15. The athletes from Prince Edward Island were proud to be hosting the 2009 Canada Games. The province’s delegation has 23 teams competing in 17 sports as well as a group of artists who will be participating in the National Artist Program.

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies are large-scale community celebrations that capture the spirit and unique personality of Prince Edward Island while showcasing Canada’s athletes and participants in the Canada Games.