Edmonton awarded 2015 Panamerican Junior Championships; Kamloops to host 2014 NACAC U-23
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
OTTAWA- Athletics Canada announced
today that Edmonton has been awarded the right to host the 2015 Panamerican
Junior Athletics Championships. Edmonton’s
organizing committee is a
partnership between the City of Edmonton, the University of Alberta, the
Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre and Athletics Alberta.
“I’m
absolutely delighted Edmonton has been chosen to host this prestigious sporting
event,” said Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel.
“Our city has a long history of sporting excellence and an outstanding
track record of hosting international events.
Edmonton’s world-class facilities, lively arts and cultural celebrations
and dedicated volunteer base guarantee the 2015 Panamerican Junior Athletics
Championships will be a superior event.”
The process began with letters of
intent submitted from 12 Canadian communities.
In February the field was narrowed to two, with Edmonton and Kamloops
making their final pitches in Ottawa in conjunction with Athletics Canada's
2012 Annual General Meeting.
"We are very excited to be
hosting this event,” said Edmonton 2015 Chair Jerry Bouma. “Our plan and approach has always been to
present the Pan Am Junior Athletics Championships as more than a three day
track meet. It is our opportunity to feature Edmonton, our commitment to
building the sport of athletics and to connect with our own Panamerican communities
right here in Edmonton, in new and exciting ways."
"The decision was not easy,
the committee felt the bids were both very strong and that Edmonton and
Kamloops would deliver the event in a first rate manner," said Mathieu
Gentès, Athletics Canada Director of PR & Corporate Services and Committee
Chair. "The strength of Kamloops
lies in its facilities, community support and excellent hosting
reputation. Edmonton also presented a
robust plan, including an impressive legacy component which will see athletics
supported from playground to podium for years to come across Canada.
Ultimately the committee felt Edmonton’s vision for the event will raise
the bar for athletics competitions in Canada, this was a key factor."
"We
are honoured that Athletics Canada has selected Edmonton as the host of the
2015 Panamerican Junior Athletics Championships,” said Athletics Alberta
President Tim Berrett. “Athletics
Alberta views this event as a key strategic initiative that will help our
association, in collaboration with several key partners, to continue its
efforts to nurture the sport in the province, but also to contribute to the
development of track and field athletics across Canada, throughout the
hemisphere, and beyond. We look forward
to hosting the best junior athletes from the Americas in 2015 and are confident
that we will deliver both an outstanding event, and a lasting legacy for
athletics."
"The
University of Alberta's perspective is that this event provides a great
opportunity to enhance or education and athlete development initiatives. In addition,
the Panamerican Junior Athletics Championships bring so many young people from
across the Pan American countries to our campus community which will be
enriching for everyone" said Dr. Jim Denison, Director of the Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre.
Recently the North America, Central
America, and Caribbean (NACAC) commission awarded the 2014 Under 23 NACAC
Championships to Athletics Canada. This
provided a unique opportunity as both Edmonton and Kamloops served up great
hosting plans. After careful deliberation by the selection committee, and
speaking with other stakeholders, including Athletics Canada's provincial
branch members, the decision was made to award the NACAC U-23 event to the
group from Kamloops.
Rob Guy, Chief Executive Officer,
Athletics Canada, "We feel everybody came out a winner at the end of this
process. Two world class organizations will be putting on world class
track and field events in Canadian communities in 2014 and then again in 2015.
The sport in Canada will be better for it."
“The committee went to Ottawa
looking for one event and came home with an exciting alternative. This is an
event that will attract significant attention for Kamloops. For the NACAC
athletes this event will be a stepping stone to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil,”
said Bob Cowden, Chair of Kamloops' organizing committee.
About the Panamerican Junior Athletics Championships
The Panamerican Junior Athletics Championships are held every two years, over
three consecutive days, on a rotational basis between North America, South
America and Central America for athletes aged 20 and under. The championships are held in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the International Association of Athletics
Federations (IAAF) and the Association of Panamerican Athletics (APA). Canada last hosted this event in 2005 in
Windsor, Ontario. The 2013 edition will
be held in Peru.
About the NACAC under 23 Athletics Championships
The NACAC under-23 Athletics
Championships are held every two years on a rotational basis between
associations of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic
Association (NACAC). NACAC is one of the
IAAF’s six area associations along with Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceana and South
America. The last edition held in Canada
was in Sherbrooke, Quebec in 2004. The
2012 NACAC under 23 Athletics Championships will be held in Guanajuato, Mexico
July 6 - 8.
-AC-
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