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Thursday, February 10, 2011 - 09:58

2011 Canada Games Preview
From the Canada Games Council ...

The Canada Games begin long before the athletes arrive in Halifax. The Canada Games Council has several initiatives that celebrate the history of the Canada Games. Two of which that lead up to any particular Games are the Past Community Engagement Program and the Canada Games Hall of Honour.

In an effort to get all the communities who have hosted the Canada Games in the past be involved with the upcoming Canada Games in Halifax, the Council, in an attempt to spread the excitement for the Games even further, implemented the Canada Games Flag Tour. The premise is that the official Canada Games flag, the same flag that is awarded to the top province or territory at the end of the Canada Games, would visit each past host community and eventually make its way to Halifax.

So on December 3rd, the flag started its journey in Whitehorse, Yukon and worked its way East across Canada toward Halifax. The flag remained in each community for three days, celebrating the legacies the Canada Games left behind in their community during several receptions and events, before being sent to the next community.

Each province and territory received the flag before it arrived in Halifax on February 9th, in time to be carried into the Opening Ceremonies for the 2011 Canada Games.

Another way the Canada Games recognizes its past is with the Canada Games Hall of Honour. The Hall recognizes exceptional Canada Games alumni who have distinguished themselves as athletes, coaches, officials or administratiors.

The Canada Games Hall of Honour was initiated as part of the 40th Anniversary Legacy of the Canada Games in 2007. Nominees are inducted every Games year (every two years). The first induction in 2007 celebrated the achievements of long time Canada Games Council Chairman Jack Pelech. In 2009, the Hall welcomed seven new members, including Olympic Gold medalists Cassie Campbell and Dave “Eli” MacEachern.

When the nation is watching Canada’s next generation of national, international and Olympic champions for the next 18 days in Halifax, remember that there is a great Canada Games history that is celebrated every day.

Check out SIRC's Canada Games 2011 webpage for more information!