Coaches of Canada would like to congratulate Toronto’s Bid Committee who was chosen to host the 2015 Pan American and Para Pan American Games in Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe!

“It will be an inspiring time, post Vancouver 2010, for coaches and athletes across the country, but especially in Ontario where programming and facilities are lacking compared to many other provinces,” stated Wayne Parro, ChPC, Executive Director, Coaches of Canada. “The positive impact will be seen before, during and after the 2015 games and will provide training and competing opportunities in Ontario that previously did not exist.”

The Toronto bid was chosen over Bogota, Columbia and Lima, Peru as the host site. The winning city’s $1.4 billion plan is built around a core of existing and proven world-class facilities used for professional sports, six new athletic venues and a well-designed, sustainable athlete’s village on Toronto’s waterfront. New venues include a stadium for athletics, indoor velodrome, a Canadian Sports Institute facility and Aquatics Centre, as well as two additional 50-metre pools.

“We recognize the vision and leadership of the Canadian Olympic Committee in setting in motion the process leading to a successful Pan American and Para Pan American Games bid. These games will inspire our youth towards a healthy and fun sporting life,” said Steven Sugar, ChPC, President, Coaches of Canada.

The Pan American Games are among the premiere amateur athletic competitions in the world. Toronto 2015 is expected to attract 10,000 participants and 250,000 visitors from the 42 participating countries in North, South and Central American and the Caribbean.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to continue the growth of performance sport post-2010 and ultimately sport development in Canada, and to allow the furthering of sport excellence in Ontario, a key population base,” commented Ozzie Sawicki, ChPC, Vice-President, Coaches of Canada. “Coaching will certainly benefit from the 2015 Pan American and Para Pan American Games as part of the continuing pursuit of excellence in sport within Canada!”

“Toronto winning the 2015 Pan Am Games is great news for Canadian sport! With Ontario leading the way post 2010, athletes and coaches will receive the support and focus they need,” said Gail Donohue, ChPC, Vice-President, Coaches of Canada. “Canadians will reap the benefits of having inspiring role models and quality professional coaches training participants at all levels.”

Again, congratulations to everyone on the bid team. We are looking forward to the excitement in the years leading up to the Games!