Canada to Host International Athletics Competitions in Edmonton

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - May 22, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament (Edmonton Centre), on behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today announced $650,000 in funding to Athletics Canada, through Sport Canada's Hosting Program, to support a National Track League series event ($400,000 for the series) and the 2015 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships ($250,000).

Quick Facts

• The 2015 National Track League series is expected to attract 1,333 elite competitors from 23 countries. This internationally recognized track and field series will see over 700 Canadian athletes-including many supported through Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program-compete against some of the world's best.
• The other National Track League series events are scheduled to take place in Guelph, Ontario (May 30); Halifax, Nova Scotia (June 2); Vancouver, British Columbia (June 8); and Victoria, British Columbia (June 10).
• The 2015 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships will take place July 31 to August 25 at the University of Alberta's Foote Field, where 460 athletes from 40 countries will be competing.
• The Government of Canada places great importance on our high-performance athletes, as well as healthy and active Canadians. In Economic Action Plan 2015, the Government doubled the Children's Fitness Tax Credit to $1,000 to help offset the costs of parents enrolling their children in organized sports. At the same time, starting in 2016-17, it will be investing up to an additional $20 million into the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes to ensure they have what they need to push for the podium, now and in the future.

Quotes

"During this Year of Sport in Canada, our Government is proud to support Athletics Canada in hosting these two important international athletics competitions, along with their Canadian championships. With only a month until the start of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, these prestigious international athletics events will help inspire young people to be active in sport, and allow them to dream of one day competing at the highest level."

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

"Hosting these international sport events will provide Canadians and visitors alike with a great opportunity to witness our track and field athletes go up against world-class competitors. I am thrilled to see such exciting events taking place in Edmonton and I am certain they will provide economic benefits to the region."

-The Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament (Edmonton Centre)

"Athletics Canada is extremely grateful of the ongoing support from the Government of Canada. The annual National Track League (NTL) and events such the Pan American Junior Championships, help ensure Canadian athletes are ready to compete and win medals against the world's best on the international stage. The NTL's TrackTown Classic consistently ranks as one of the premier events in the world; this would not be possible without the Government of Canada's support."

-Rob Guy, Chief Executive Officer, Athletics Canada

Associated Links

Sport Canada

Athletics Canada

FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015

Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games

Children's Fitness Tax Credit

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