100 Days To Go Until the TORONTO 2015 Parapan Am Games

Historic broadcast coverage, schedules for two sports announced

TORONTO, April 29, 2015 /CNW/ - The countdown is on! With 100 days to go until the TORONTO 2015 Parapan Am Games, the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is proud to partner with CBC/Radio-Canada to announce its broadcast schedule, featuring more hours of Parapan Am Games broadcast than ever before.

"Parapan athletes are changing the way people think about sport," said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer, TO2015. "In 100 days, our partnership with CBC/Radio-Canada will allow more people than ever before, from across the country, to witness the amazing efforts of our Parapan athletes."

Also released today were the competition schedules for two action-packed Parapan sports:  wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rurgby, giving spectators the information they need to buy tickets to see some incredible athletes battle it out for gold. As all sports for the Parapan Am Games are qualifiers for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Canada's men's and women's teams need to finish among the top nations to compete next year in Rio. 

Today, TO2015 and CBC/Radio-Canada marked the milestone day with a countdown celebration, featuring a wheelchair rugby demonstration in recognition of the sport's Pan Am Games debut.

Eight Team Canada wheelchair rugby hopefuls together with CBC host Scott Russell took part in the wheelchair rugby demonstration presented by TO2015, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, the governing body for wheelchair rugby in Canada.

Originally coined "murderball," the hard-hitting, fast-paced wheelchair rugby competition is expected to be a big winner with fans this summer. Wheelchair rugby has a strong reputation in Canada — not only was it invented in Winnipeg in 1976, but the Canadian team is considered one of world's best, taking home a silver medal in both the 2014 World Championships and the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Canada's wheelchair rugby schedule:

• Saturday, August 8 vs. Brazil at 5 p.m. PRW01
• Sunday, August 9 vs. Colombia at 7:15 p.m. PRW02
• Monday, August 10 vs. Argentina at 5 p.m. PRW03
• Tuesday, August 11 vs. Chile at 5:45 p.m. PRW04
• Wednesday, August 12 vs. United States at 8 p.m. PRW05

The semi-finals will be held on Thursday, August 13 (PRW06), followed by the bronze- and gold-medal games on Friday, August 14 (PWO7).

Wheelchair basketball

The wheelchair basketball schedule was also released today. A fan favourite at the Parapan Am Games, it will be played at the Ryerson Athletic Centre.

The Canadian women's team is the current world champion. Janet McLachlan is the country's leading scorer and one of the top women's wheelchair basketball players in the world. She is hoping that history repeats itself for her and her teammates at the Ryerson Athletic Centre this summer, with a gold medal win.

"We won the world championships on that same court last year and we're looking forward to doing the same at the Parapan Am Games this summer," said McLachlan. "It's nice to have that home-court advantage in such a big event and we're looking forward to great fan support."

Canada's women's wheelchair basketball schedule:

• Saturday, August 8 vs. Guatemala at 6:30 p.m. PWB02
• Sunday, August 9 vs. Mexico at 8:45 p.m. PWB04
• Tuesday, August 11 vs. Brazil at 4:15 p.m. PWB08

The women's semifinals will be held on Thursday, August, 13 (PWB12) followed by the bronze- and gold-medal games on Friday, August, 14 (PWB14).

The Canadian men's team will be a gold-medal contender after taking home top place at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

"We want to win the Parapan Am Games in our country, but there's the added motivation of gaining a berth to the 2016 Paralympics in Rio," said David Eng, a veteran leader of Team Canada. "There's tough competition in the Americas, so matchups with Colombia, the US, Mexico and Brazil will be extremely exciting and intense."

Canada's men's wheelchair basketball schedule:

• Saturday, August 8 vs. Venezuela at 8:45 p.m. PWB02
• Monday, August 10 vs. Mexico at 6:30 p.m. PWB06
• Tuesday, August 11 vs. Argentina at 6:30 p.m. PWB08

The men's semifinals will be held on Friday August, 14 (PWB13), followed by the bronze- and gold-medal games on Saturday, August 15 (PWB15).

Afternoon sessions featuring Canada's men and women's preliminary games will be highly sought-after tickets. An added bonus for wheelchair basketball fans is the great value these tickets offer. Purchasing a single ticket will get fans three games for morning or afternoon sessions from August 8 to 13, and single session tickets will be valid for two games from August 14 to 15.

To view the full wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball competition schedules and to purchase tickets, visit TORONTO2015.org/tickets. 

Tickets

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).

Quotes:

The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport):

"In just 100 days, the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games will begin, and we will welcome athletes from throughout the Americas to accessible venues across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. During this Year of Sport in Canada, we look forward to watching the sporting triumphs of our Canadian para-athletes. We know their accomplishments will inspire Canadians of all levels of ability to take part in sport."

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

"Top para athletes from across the Americas will be competing for gold at the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games this August and Ontarians are excited to cheer them on. And, with the International Paralympic Committee calling Toronto the 'best prepared city yet' to host the Parapan Am Games, we know we're ready to make these Games a success."

Mayor John Tory, City of Toronto :

"In 100 days, the TORONTO 2015 Parapan Am Games will be here and Toronto will come alive with sport, culture and celebrations," said City of Toronto Mayor John Tory. "We are proud to be the Host City for the Games and we look forward to welcoming international athletes to our city, where they will compete in 15 sports in accessible venues across Toronto."

Laura Dottori-Attanasio, Chief Risk Officer and Diversity & Inclusion Champion, CIBC:

"CIBC is proud to invest in these world-class athletes who will inspire Canadians with their incredible accomplishments as they compete to reach their podium dreams at this summer's Parapan Am Games."

Elisabeth Walker-Young, Chef de Mission for the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games:

"With just 100 days to go, we are looking forward with great anticipation to the Parapan Am Games, for which we have set a goal of placing in the top three nations in the total medal count. I'd like to encourage all Canadians to get involved in cheering on Team Canada, through tuning in to the national broadcast, connecting on social media and by going to view events in person. As an athlete there's nothing like packed stands and cheering to lift you to the moment. The national pride created by these home Games has the potential to unite the country and motivate all Canadians."

SOURCE Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

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