Pre-registered media accreditation available for pick up today; In-person media registration still available
TORONTO, Oct. 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Representatives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and leaders of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee are among the delegates attending the first-ever Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) General Assembly meeting held in Toronto.
There will be many significant events during the four-day gathering, which runs from today, until Friday, October 11 at The Westin Harbour Castle hotel, including the selection of the Host City for the 2019 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. An estimated 350 delegates are attending, including top officials from International Sport Federations and National Olympic Committees from 41 countries and territories.
All PASO General Assembly sessions are open to media. Pre-registered media are asked pick up their credentials starting today at 9:00 a.m. at the TO2015 welcome table located in the hotel lobby. Reporters may still register in person at the desk with valid photo ID and media credentials during the conference.
"We're incredibly excited to welcome all of our distinguished guests to Toronto and Canada for this important meeting of international and regional sport leaders and decision makers," said Ian Troop, chief executive officer of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015).
"This is a unique gathering for our city," he continued. "Nothing like this has ever been held here before and it's a wonderful opportunity to showcase what we have planned in 2015 and get people excited. We're also looking forward to receiving feedback from international and regional sports experts and hear the latest news, as well as share our knowledge with other upcoming multi-sport Games, including Rio, Nanjing and Pyeongchang."
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games, which open on July 10, 2015, will feature an estimated 6,000 athletes from 41 countries and territories competing in 36 sports, including women's baseball and golf for the first time, in venues located in 15 municipalities in southern Ontario. Together with the Parapan Am Games, they will be the largest international multi-sport Games ever held in Canada.
The vote to choose the next Host City for the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, which promises to be emotional, will take place on Friday, October 11. PASO President Don Mario Vázquez Raña will announce the winner later that afternoon in a news conference. The four cities in the running for the 2019 Games are: La Punta, Argentina; Santiago, Chile; Lima, Peru; and Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela.
"I would like to welcome all of our distinguished guests to Toronto for the Pan American Sports Organization's General Assembly," said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "Our Government is proud to invest in the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, which will showcase world-class athletic and cultural talent and leave lasting economic, sport and infrastructure legacies for generations to come."
"On behalf of Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Government of Ontario, I warmly welcome all of our dignitaries and delegates from the PASO family of nations for the General Assembly," said Michael Chan, Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.
"With under two years left to go until the 2015 Games, the PASO General Assembly is an opportunity for our member nations to learn about the great accomplishments we have made in building world-class sporting infrastructure, expanding the Pan Am footprint to include multiple municipalities, maximizing the positive economic impacts that come with Games' hosting while positioning Ontario on the map as a premier sporting destination for 2015 and beyond."
City of Toronto Councillor Mark Grimes (Ward 6 Etobicoke-Lakeshore) and Toronto's Games Champion, added: "As the Host City of the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, and on behalf of Toronto City Council, I welcome all of the officials attending the General Assembly. Our Games are less than two years away and our city is quickly filling with excitement for this incredible event. I'm confident our hospitality, diversity and enthusiasm for international sport will become evident to you during your stay."
"When our athletes walk proudly into the Opening Ceremony of the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games, they will be entering as the largest Canadian team ever to participate in a multi-sport Games," said Marcel Aubut, president of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC).
"I know that it will be a special moment for our athletes to be able to compete at home and in front of their family, friends and a drove of enthusiastic supporters," he continued. "It will also be a remarkable experience for local fans, as the world comes to Toronto to compete on our fields, our courts and in our pools. I have full confidence that Canadians of all ages will participate and contribute in making this the best Pan American Games ever."
PASO General Assembly Agenda
Please note: Conference event times are subject to change. For the latest updates, follow @TO2015 on Twitter or stop by the TO2015 media desk on site. All events at The Westin Harbour Castle hotel unless otherwise stated.
| Wednesday, October 9 | |
| 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. | Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne officially opens the PASO General Assembly and welcomes delegates to Toronto. |
| Thursday, October 10 | |
| 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. | TO2015 and the Honourable Michael Chan, Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, give a comprehensive update on the Games' preparations and plans. |
| Marcel Aubut, president of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), makes a significant announcement about Team Canada's plans for the TORONTO 2015 Games. | |
| Time TBC | Updates and presentations from: |
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● Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games ● Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president, Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic/Paralympic Games ● Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic/Paralympic Winter Games |
| Friday, October 11 | |
| 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Presentations by the 2019 Bid Cities. |
| 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Vote for 2019 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Host City. |
| 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Closing news conference with PASO President Don Mario Vázquez Raña. |
About TO2015
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is tasked with the responsibility of planning, managing and delivering the Games. Its mission is to ignite the spirit through a celebration of sport and culture. The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10−26 and the Parapan American Games August 7-14.
The 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as other partners and sponsors. CIBC is the Lead Partner of the Games.
For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org.
SOURCE: Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games
Teddy Katz
Director, media relations and chief spokesperson
TO2015
C: 647.404.5263
[email protected]
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