TO2015 Talks Sport Business in Quebec City

1,500 International Delegates Expected at 2012 SportAccord Convention

TORONTO, May 21, 2012 /CNW/ - The Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) will be meeting with some of the top global sport influencers and experts this week in Quebec City at what's described as one of the "must-attend" events on the annual international sport meeting calendar.

With 1,500 leading representatives from international sport participating, the six-day SportAccord International Convention offers an important opportunity for the world's sport family to come together, share knowledge and develop ideas. Launched in 2003, the annual convention serves as a commercial platform for the sport industry, creating a "one-stop-shop" for delegates.

"With so many key decision makers from the world's governing bodies of sport all in one place, we're looking forward to this year's SportAccord Convention as we continue to make important international contacts and gather valuable knowledge," said Ian Troop, TO2015 Chief Executive Officer. "We will also use our time in Quebec City to showcase the planning that's underway to create a memorable Pan/Parapan Am Games experience in Toronto in 2015."

TO2015 will be meeting with representatives from International Sport Federations in an effort to make as many of the competitions as possible serve as Olympic qualifiers for the Rio 2016 Olympic Summer Games. These qualifiers will help draw the top athletes from the Americas to Toronto.

"Our discussions with the International Sport Federations in Quebec City will be an important step that could help set the stage for the sport program in 2015," said Bob O'Doherty, TO2015's Senior Vice-President, Sport and Venues. "One of the core objectives of the Toronto 2015 Games sport program is to attract the best athletes and set a new benchmark for the level of competition at these Games."

O'Doherty added that in order to maximize the number of Olympic qualifiers on the Toronto 2015 sport program, the Organizing Committee needs to present its proposals to the International Sport Federation decision makers at events such as the SportAccord Convention.

In addition to the discussions, TO2015 will be promoting the Games at SportAccord. In partnership with Tourism Toronto and the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, TO2015 will have an interactive exhibit to create awareness of the Toronto 2015 Games and advance the city and province as sport tourism destinations.

The SportAccord Convention takes place May 20-25, 2012, at the Quebec City Convention Centre.

About the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games
The Pan American Games are one of the world's largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for athletes of the 41 member nations of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). The Games comprise all Olympic Summer Games sports, as well as traditional Pan American sports. The Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games will draw 10,000 athletes and officials and feature 48 sports in municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. The Toronto 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10-26 and the Parapan American Games August 7-14. For more information about the Games, please visit toronto2015.org.

For further information:

Carlene Siopis
Communications Advisor, TO2015
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]