100 Days to Go Until the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games

Citizenship ceremony celebrates diversity, connection to the world

TORONTO, April 1, 2015 /CNW/ - With 100 days to go until the cauldron is lit at the Opening Ceremony of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games, a special citizenship ceremony has welcomed 100 new Canadian citizens. The ceremony is a reminder that when the Games begin, athletes, coaches and visitors from the 41 countries throughout the Americas will find welcoming communities within Canada's diverse populations.

"Our Games motto is United We Play! This ceremony reflects the values of inclusion and diversity that the Games will promote," said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer, TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015). "The Games are a chance for all of us to cheer for Team Canada on home soil and with our fellow Canadians, while also welcoming the people of the Americas to share in all our communities have to offer."

The citizenship ceremony was held at the new YMCA, part of the recently completed CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletes' Village. Located on Toronto's waterfront in the West Don Lands area, the Village will be transformed into a diverse new neighbourhood when the Games are over.

With 100 days to go until the Games begin, preparations are well underway:

• We need 23,000+ games time volunteers. 60,000 individuals have applied to date.
• Ticket sales are strong, with more than 350,000 sold.
• The medals have been unveiled, and the response has been enthusiastic throughout the Americas.
• The Pan Am Games Torch Relay route has been announced, the torch unveiled and some of the first torchbearers have been identified.
• Top athletes from the Americas who will be competing in basketball, swimming, baseball, golf and other sports have confirmed that they're excited to go for gold at the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games.

More competition schedules will be released soon, as well as major announcements on the artists and performers who will take part in PANAMANIA, the arts and cultural festival that will run from July 10 to August 15.

The next round of TORONTO 2015 Pan Am tickets will go on sale April 16.

The TORONTO 2015 Parapan Am Games ticket program is designed to be affordable and accessible for everyone by offering:

Affordable pricing: Tickets for Parapan Am sporting events will range from $20 to $35 for adults, with a youth (under 16) and senior (65+) discount from $10 to $12.50 available, depending on the event. The number of discounted tickets is limited, so buy early.

Integrated tickets: Every event ticket will allow the holder to access transit on the day of the event.

Easy options for buying: Tickets can be purchased online at TORONTO2015.org/tickets or by calling 1.855.726.2015 in North America and 1.949.333.4824 internationally.

About TO2015
The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10–26 and the Parapan American Games August 7–15. The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors.

The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is tasked with managing and delivering the Games. It is working to bring some of the world's best athletes and artists to Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, giving Ontarians a unique chance to be part of the action, and making the region a hub for sport.

For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org or follow @TO2015, @TO2015_fr (French) or @TO2015_es (Spanish).

Quote Sheet

The Honourable Chris Alexander, Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister

"In Canada, one of our greatest strengths is finding unity in our diversity, and one of the ways we do this is through participation in sports," said Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander, who personally welcomed the 100 new citizens. "The Government of Canada recognizes the immense role that sport plays in bringing all Canadians together, which is why I am so pleased to welcome today's newest Canadians at a facility that will see athletes, coaches and spectators from across the Americas come together in just 100 short days."

The Honourable Michael Coteau, Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games:

"With just 100 days to go, excitement for the Games continues to build. We welcomed 100 new Canadians to our province as part of today's celebration. I'm proud to call these newcomers fellow Canadians and I look forward to joining them as we cheer on our athletes together this summer."

Mayor John Tory, City of Toronto:

"In 100 days, the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games will be here and Toronto will come alive with sport, culture and celebrations. We are proud to be the Host City for the Games and we look forward to welcoming the athletes, coaches, families and visitors to our city. Joining them will be the 100 new Canadian citizens sworn in today as part of the 100 Days to Go ceremony. They represent the diversity found in our great city."

Stephen Forbes, Executive Vice-President, CIBC, the Lead Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games:

"As Lead Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, Team CIBC is thrilled to be entering the final stretch of this incredible journey to the biggest multi-sport international event ever held in Canada. We look forward to getting Canadians into the spirit of the Games as we prepare to host thousands of visitors from across the Americas at this history-making celebration of sport, culture and diversity. These Games will provide life-long memories for athletes, an exciting experience for spectators and a lasting sport legacy."

SOURCE Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

Teddy Katz, Director, media relations and chief spokesperson, TO2015, 416.957.2117, [email protected]