Amateur athletes from all over Canada will be packing their bags for Winnipeg this July for the Canada Summer Games.
Over 4,000 athletes and coaches, plus more than 20,000 visitors will descend on the Manitoba capital from July 28 to August 13.
The Canada Games are held every two years, alternating between summer and winter games, just like the Olympics. Instead of representing their country, athletes at the Canada Games represent their country or territory.
Canada’s largest multi-sport event for young athletes, the Games will feature 250 events across 16 sports, plus a major cultural festival.
Here’s a list of sports you’ll be able to see at this year’s event:
- Athletics
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Beach volleyball
- Canoe/kayak
- Cycling
- Diving
- Golf
- Mountain bike
- Open water swimming
- Rowing
- Sailing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Triathlon
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
First taking place in Quebec City in 1967, this is the event’s 50th anniversary, coinciding with Canada’s 150th birthday.
A launching pad for amateur athletes, the Canada Summer Games is a place to see the next generation of Canadian Olympic heroes. For instance, four years ago at the last Summer Games in Sherbrooke featured Andre De Grasse, who went on to win three medals at last year’s Olympics.
Here’s a small selection of prominent athletes that performed at the Canada Games before their careers took off:
- Andre De Grasse (2013)
- Sidney Crosby, hockey (2003)
- Russell Martin (2001)
- Adam van Koeverden, canoe-kayak (1997)
- Cindy Klassen, speed skating (1995)
- Steve Nash, basketball (1993)
- Sami-Jo Small, hockey and athletics (1991, 1993, 1997)
- Paul Kariya (1991)
- Bruni Surin, athletics (1985)
- Catriona Le May Doan, speed skating and athletics (1983/1987)
- Susan Auch, speed skating (1983)