For Immediate Release
August 12th, 2016
Mayor Crombie, Council and Community Open 2016 Ontario Summer Games
Hershey Centre – We are truly excited to welcome athletes, coaches, teams and sports enthusiasts from across the province, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said during yesterday’s opening ceremonies for the 2016 Ontario Summer Games.
“The 2016 Games will be the largest in Ontario Summer Games history combining both winter and summer sporting events together,” Mayor Crombie said. “The City of Mississauga is energized about the opportunity to showcase our civic pride, celebrate our community spirit and build on our success as a host city during the 2015 Toronto Pan Am & Parapan Am Games.”
“These Games are preparing the next generation of Olympians that we will cheer for just as loud as we’re cheering for our athletes in Rio today.”
In attendance at the opening ceremonies were Members of Council, Deputy Premier Deb Matthews, Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and MP Peter Fonseca, Chair of the OSG Planning Committee.
Nearly 3,500 athletes, ages 13 to 17, are descending on Ontario’s third largest city to compete for the gold. Athletes are from communities throughout Ontario and will showcase 32 sporting events staged throughout Mississauga, as well as those in neighbouring municipalities.
“In total, Mississauga will throw down the welcome-mat for 3,500 athletes, 500 officials and countless other visitors and spectators from around the province.
“As a sports-oriented and youth-friendly city, amateur sports play an important role in Mississauga’s thriving and promising future,” Mayor Crombie added. “It encourages youth to play and develop. It builds community pride, creates lasting partnerships and promotes life skills like teamwork, responsibility, commitment and perseverance – all which help to improve the quality of life for our communities and neighbours.”
Throughout the four-day competition, the Games will ignite a celebration of sport, culture and recreation, all while providing Mississauga with a unique opportunity to draw attention to the importance of amateur sports.
Hosting the Games supports the City’s Sport Plan and Sport Tourism strategy. The strategy provides a focused approach and vision for the future of competitive sports events in Mississauga (www.mississauga.ca/sportplan).
“The Games provide athletes with development and competitive opportunities that will prepare them for national and international sports competitions. It also provides communities, volunteers and everyone a chance to celebrate sport in Ontario.”
This week Minister McMahon announced that Mississauga will host the 2018 55+ Ontario Summer Games, Mayor Crombie said, adding that “we highlighted our premiere sports venues, ease of access, expert event management, enthusiastic volunteers and willingness to work with all levels of government and sport governing bodies.”
“Sport transcends language and culture – it is a unifying force for our diverse city.”
“Congratulations once again to the athletes who earned their place at the 2016 Ontario Summer Games,” Mayor Crombie concluded.
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