Parapan Am organizers aim to end strong with full venues on Saturday
TORONTO, Aug. 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Civic and sport leaders are urging the city to fill up all Parapan Am venues this Saturday, August 15, the last day of the Parapan Am Games. Dubbed #SoldOutSaturday, the aim is to finish the Games strong and let all Parapan Am athletes know the region is 100 per cent behind them. There are three gold-medal matches on Saturday: goalball, football 7-a-side and wheelchair basketball, which is already sold out.
The final days of any international multi-sport Games are always the most intense and exciting, and Saturday promises a day where more records will be broken and hard-hitting action for both athletes and fans alike.
Knowing that there wille be some disappointed fans for #SoldOutSaturday, the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is also offering $5 Friday tickets for swimming and athletics. Friday is the last day to see these incredible sports and athletes, and we need to send them to the podium with our loudest cheers. All tickets can be purchased at TORONTO2015.org/tickets.
Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
"There are only a few chances left to take in all the excitement of the TORONTO 2015 Parapan American Games! That's why I'm challenging everyone in our province to make the last day of these exciting Games the best yet on #SoldOutSaturday. With final competitions in goalball, football 7-a-side and wheelchair basketball, Saturday is guaranteed to be filled with thrilling sport and incredible athleticism. These Parapan Am athletes have dedicated their lives to becoming the best of the best, and they have overcome unbelievable obstacles and they are an inspiration to us all. Let's show these athletes that Ontario is behind them. Let's celebrate an incredible summer of sport and let's make it a #SoldOutSaturday!"
John Tory, Mayor, City of Toronto
"Let's break even more records on the final day of the Parapan Am Games! I am getting out to a game on Saturday and strongly encourage everyone to fill up the stands to see some of the greatest competition ever seen. These Games are a jaw-dropping display of the power of human beings to excel, to overcome and to be strong — all spectators will be inspired. Let's end the largest ever Parapan Am Games with a #SoldOutSaturday."
Rick Mercer, CBC Host, Rick Mercer Report
"If Toronto comes out and fills the stands on Saturday, it will not only make for the best Parapan Am Games yet, but will send a great message about our cities inclusive spirit."
Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer, TO2015
"The athletes competing in the Parapan Am Games have stretched our imagination when it comes to human abilities — they've pushed limits, broken barriers and smashed records. Seeing their endurance mixed with the energy of the crowds is absolutely electrifying. There are still more victories to be won, so grab your Parapan Am tickets before it's too late to witness the action. Let's join together and make it a #SoldOutSaturday."
Curt Harnett, Team Canada's chef de mission for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games
"Seeing our country celebrate the thousands of athletes from across the Americas here at home during the Pan Am Games was incredible. Let's show that same energy and pride we have for our Parapan Am athletes by selling out the final events. The support I've seen for our athletes this summer has been incredible, and I know we can all come together to end the Games in a remarkable way!"
Michael "Pinball" Clemons, TORONTO 2015 volunteer "quarterback"
"In sport, "sold out" is an expression commonly used when an athlete has given an incredible, unbelievable all-out effort. When you're born with compromised mobility or have tragically injured or lost a limb, "sold out" is an everyday reality, and those few who are able to rise above and become elite athletes are in rare air. Coincidentally, these elite athletes, from 28 countries, are in our city now! Oh yeah, the everyday battle for them hasn't gone away. It's like oxygen, and they thrive on it! If you're like me, you can't even imagine it, but we can support them. Buy a ticket for #SoldOutSaturday. I won't meet you there, I'll beat you there!"
Michael Coteau, Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games
"With so many medals up for grabs on the last day of the Games, Saturday is going to be packed with exciting action you don't want to miss. You can really feel the momentum building for a great finish – the athletic performances we've seen so far have been an incredible testament to perseverance, hard work and sport excellence. I challenge everybody to get out this Saturday, get your tickets, and help send the TORONTO 2015 Parapan Am Games out with a bang."
Stephen Forbes, Executive Vice-President, CIBC, Lead Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Parapan Am Games and Official Bank and Premier Partner of Team Canada
"CIBC is so proud of what our athletes have accomplished to date at the TORONTO 2015 Parapan Am Games – the largest in history. It's been an incredible experience to watch the fierce competition and incredible sportsmanship in front of enthusiastic hometown crowds. They have inspired us with their stories, their athleticism, and their grit. With the excitement of the final weekend just around the corner, we challenge Canadians to show their spirit and their true north pride by snapping up the remaining tickets and joining us to cheer Team Canada at #SoldOutSaturday!"
Perdita Felicien, Olympian and world champion
"If you were inspired during the Pan Am Games, you'll be blown away while watching Parapan Am athletes in action. Their tenacity and willpower will leave you breathless but still wanting more. Get your tickets today! Let's make it a #SoldOutSaturday."
Chief Mark Saunders, Toronto Police Service
"The TORONTO 2015 Games have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our city. It's now time for us to rally behind the Parapan Am Games one last time. As the Games come to a close, let's fill the stands on #SoldOutSaturday and give the Parapan Am athletes the send-off celebration they deserve!"
Sevaun Palvetzian, chief executive officer, CivicAction
"The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games have showed the world why we are so proud to call this region home. This weekend will be the last chance to be part of the action. Come cheer our athletes on from packed bleachers that will be filled with Team Canada pride."
Medhat Mahdy, president and chief executive officer, YMCA of Greater Toronto
"As a charity that encourages participation by people of all backgrounds and abilities, the YMCA of Greater Toronto eagerly encourages Torontonians to attend the Parapan Am Games and celebrate inspiring athletes, generous volunteers and the importance of active lifestyles."
Jen Kish, captain, Canadian women's rugby sevens team
"As an athlete, playing in a stadium with thousands of fans in support of us, on home soil, gave us that extra edge over our competition. Let's continue to support and create that same atmosphere for our Parapan Am athletes by filling every seat in the house. Join me as we cheer on these amazing athletes by purchasing a ticket to give them that extra edge."
Saturday's Events
Wheelchair basketball — men's medal games in downtown Toronto (sold out)
The best men's wheelchair basketball teams in the Americas will shoot for gold, silver and bronze inside the historic Ryerson Athletic Centre. This venue was noisy and supportive for Canada's basketball teams during the Pan Am Games, and Canada's wheelchair men's team hopes to win a medal. The bronze-medal game starts at 8:30 a.m. followed by the gold-medal game at 11 a.m.
Football 7-a-side — medal matches in downtown Toronto (limited tickets available)
Football 7-a-side is a version of "the beautiful game," known as soccer in North America, and is played by athletes with cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders, including stroke and traumatic brain injury. Bronze-medal matches start at 9 a.m. followed by the gold-medal match at 11 a.m.
Goalball – medals in Mississauga (limited tickets available)
This sport was a fan favourite at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and is played exclusively by athletes with a visual impairment, using a ball with bells inside. Two teams of three face off on an indoor court with tactile lines and goals at either end. The action starts at 10 a.m. with the bronze-medal game followed by the gold-medal game at 11:30 a.m.
Buying tickets to the Games
Tickets for Parapan Am sporting events 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 don't delay.
Easy options for buying: Tickets can be purchased online at TORONTO2015.org/tickets or at 1.855.726.2015 and internationally at 1.949.333.4824. Every event ticket will allow the holder to access transit on the day of the event.
About TO2015
The TORONTO 2015 Parapan American Games take place 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.
For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org or follow @TO2015, @TO2015_fr (French) or @TO2015_es (Spanish).
SOURCE Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games
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