Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games plans are taking shape

Team in Mexico with progress update for PASO

TORONTO, May 6 /CNW/ - The Toronto 2015 Organizing Committee led by CEO Ian Troop is in Merida, Mexico meeting with Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) officials, National Olympic Committee presidents and PASO president, Mario Vasquez Rana at the PASO General Assembly.

"We're thrilled to have the opportunity to share our progress with the PASO family," said Ian Troop, CEO, Toronto 2015. "We're here to let them know we're on schedule, plans are taking shape and progress is being made on what will be a great games experience for all athletes and officials in 2015."

"PASO is pleased with the progress Toronto 2015 has made so far," said Vasquez Rana, president of PASO. "We are confident in Toronto's ability to deliver on their promises and know that the PASO family will be welcomed with open arms in 2015."

While in Merida, Toronto 2015 will have the opportunity to formally present its progress to PASO officials at the General Assembly. The Toronto 2015 report will cover:

    
    -   Important steps achieved since the bid win in November 2009 including
        the appointment of the Board of Directors, Troop's hiring as CEO, and
        establishing Toronto 2015 operations;
    -   Building the Toronto 2015 team and creating a Toronto 2015 brand;
    -   Venue verification plans to ensure Games venues are viable and ready
        on budget, on time and on scope;
    -   Continued progress on the Athletes' Village
    

"We are working aggressively to stage an exceptional Games in 2015," said Roger Garland, Chair, Toronto 2015. "We had the opportunity to experience the Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games and learned a lot about village, venue and transportation operations. We'll examine how our Games can benefit from the Vancouver experience."

The General Assembly will also review progress reports from Guadalajara, Mexico, Host City of the 2011 Pan / Parapan American Games, as well as reports by the organizing committees of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games, London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and the Rio de Janiero 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

About the Pan/Parapan American Games

The Pan American Games is one of the world's largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for athletes of the 42 member nations of the Pan American Sport Organization (PASO). The Games comprise all Summer Olympic 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 17 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.

NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media

For further information: Liz Borowiec, Toronto 2015, [phone]