Bringing more than 4,000 athletes to Greater Victoria next year is in many ways a vote of confidence for the future, say organizers of the 2022 sa国际传媒 55-plus Games.
The event, to celebrate healthy and active seniors, was originally scheduled in the capital region for 2021 but postponed due to the pandemic. The previously scheduled 2022 Games site, Abbotsford, will now host in 2023. The 2020 Games, 颅scheduled for Richmond, were cancelled because of COVID.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a bit of risk but it鈥檚 important to put a marker down,鈥� said Paul Nursey, CEO of Destination Greater Victoria.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we are backing this financially,鈥� added Nursey, of his organization鈥檚 $65,000 颅contribution to host the Games.
鈥淪port tourism is really important to us, along with 颅conventions and the arts.鈥�
The Games are funded primarily by the sa国际传媒 Seniors Games Society and the provincial government with many of the provincial sport organizations also providing support.
The Games will be held Sept. 13-17 next year with the (approximate) year-out launch held Tuesday on the grounds of Government House, where sa国际传媒 Lieutenant Governor Janet 颅Austin was announced as the Honorary Patron of the Games.
鈥淭he athletic endeavours of the Games are proof one never outgrows a healthy sense of competition, skill, and love of the community that flourishes around sports,鈥� said Austin.
These are not necessarily a Games for former elite athletes, although former pros and Olympians are welcome to compete. It is more about the sport-for-life movement. Regardless, the organizational aspects are top level, said Michael O鈥機onnor, president of the Victoria organizing committee.
鈥淲e could host the 颅Commonwealth Games again with the talent we have 颅assembled in the organizing committee,鈥� said O鈥機onnor.
That includes Clint Flood, who will act as vice-president of 颅registration and results for the sa国际传媒 55-plus Victoria Games committee. The general 颅manager of the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games Society began his multi-sport 颅organizing career with the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and has worked on Games organizing committees around the world.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got a lot of 1994 Commonwealth Games people involved,鈥� said Flood.
鈥淭his [55-plus] demographic is about participation and enjoying sport for life, while creating economic activity in the host region,鈥� said Flood.
O鈥機onnor also stressed the latter point: 鈥淭he Games will be a great boost to the economy of Greater Victoria.鈥�
An economic impact study in 2017 found that the Games contributed an impact of more than $3.3 million to the host community.
There will be 30 sports contested in the Games, which were held every year pre-pandemic, and described as the largest annual multi-sport gathering in the province.
鈥淎fter a cancellation and postponement, our participants are extremely eager to compete again,鈥� said sa国际传媒 Seniors Games Society president Paul Kingan, in a statement.
鈥淲e believe in the health and social benefits of our Games.鈥�
About 1,500 volunteers will be required. For information: 55plusbcgames.org.
