World's Best in Athletics Come to Canada for National Track League

GATINEAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - June 10, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today announced $400,000 from the Government of Canada, through Sport Canada's Hosting Program, for Athletics Canada to support the hosting of the National Track League. The National Track League is a five-meet series that includes the Victoria International Track Classic, taking place today. Three meets have already taken place in Guelph, Ontario (May 30); Halifax, Nova Scotia (June 2); and Vancouver, British Columbia (June 8). The final meet will take place in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 12.

Quick Facts

-The 2015 National Track League series is one of the final opportunities for athletes to qualify for the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games and the 2015 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships to be held in Beijing, China.

-Funding, through Sport Canada's Hosting Program, will provide more than 700 Canadian athletes, 200 Canadian coaches and 375 Canadian officials with a highly competitive international experience.

-In 2014-15, the Government of Canada, through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program, provided Athletics Canada with $4,869,000 to support programs and services that have a direct impact on athlete development.

-In 2014-15, the Government of Canada, through the Athlete Assistance Program, provided 145 athletics athletes with and without disabilities with direct monthly support to assist with their living, training and education expenses and allow them to focus on their training.

-During the Year of Sport in Canada, the Government of Canada is encouraging Canadians of all levels of ability to participate in sport according to their talents and interests. 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, it will be investing an additional $20 million in the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, to ensure they continue to have what they need to push for the podium today and in the future.

Quotes

"Canada is a leading sport nation with a long tradition of excellence in track and field. Hosting these five National Track League meets gives our Canadian competitors the opportunity to face off, here at home, against some of the best athletes from around the world. We look forward to hosting many of them again soon at the Toronto 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games and wish every success to the athletes hoping to qualify for the coveted remaining spots."

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

"Athletics Canada is extremely grateful of the ongoing support from the Government of Canada for the National Track League (NTL). NTL, Athletics Canada's annual grand-prix series, helps ensure Canadian athletes are ready to compete and win medals against the world's best on the international stage, including at the Olympic and Paralympic Games and World Championships. This would not be possible without the Government of Canada's support."

-Rob Guy, Chief Executive Officer, Athletics Canada

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Sport

Athletics Canada

National Track League

Year of Sport

Children's Fitness Tax Credit

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