TORONTO, Aug. 31 /CNW/ - The Pan American Sports Organization's (PASO)
Evaluation Commission today visited proposed sites for the 2015 Pan / Parapan
Am Games by land and air. The second and final day of their evaluation saw
PASO visit more world-class venues in Toronto and Hamilton.
The Commission spent a good portion of day two hearing presentations by
Canadian Olympians, such as Curt Harnett (cycling), Marnie McBean (rowing),
and several sport leaders on cycling, athletics, indoor volleyball, rowing,
canoe/kayak and other events.
"We're fortunate to have athletes in Canada who are incredibly supportive
of our bid for the 2015 Games," said Jagoda Pike, President, Toronto 2015 Bid
for the Pan / Parapan American Games. "They are very enthusiastic about the
Games and the variety of outstanding venues available for athletes."
The Commission visited athletic and sport medicine facilities at McMaster
University's David Braley Centre before getting an aerial view by helicopter
of the Niagara-region water courses where rowing, sailing and open water swims
would take place.
The Evaluation Commission toured Roy Thomson Hall (weightlifting), BMO
Field (football), Direct Energy Centre (handball), Ricoh Coliseum
(gymnastics), the Air Canada Centre (basketball) and the Rogers Centre, which,
along with hosting baseball, would also be the venue for opening and closing
ceremonies.
"We believe all the suggested venues are world-class facilities and will
be a perfect fit for the high-caliber athletes who will attend the Pan Am
Games in 2015," said Hon. David Peterson, Chair, Toronto 2015 Bid for the Pan
/ Parapan American Games. "All present and future facilities represent our
commitment to athletics, athletes and future athletes in Toronto and the rest
of Canada."
The Evaluation Commission is in Toronto to assess and report back to PASO
on key elements of the Toronto 2015 bid. A vote deciding the 2015 host city is
expected to be held in November.
The Pan Am Games is a major international multi-sport event, held every
four years for athletes of the 42 PASO member nations. The Pan American Games
consists of all Summer Olympic sports, plus other events selected by the Pan
American Sports Organization, and serve as an Olympic-qualifier for a number
of the participating sports. The last edition of the Games was held in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil in July 2007 and the next will take place in Guadalajara,
Mexico in October 2011./NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: Photos accompanying this release is available at
http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the
media/
Image with caption: David Braley demonstrates a cast model of the Pan American Velodrome and Pan Am Games Athletics Facility to PASO Evaluation Commission Members (L to R) Danilo Carrera Drouet and Dr. Julio César Maglione, who are touring proposed sites for the 2015 Pan / Parapan American Games. (CNW Group/Toronto 2015 Pan American Games Bid)
For further information: Liz Borowiec, Toronto 2015, (416) 326-4982
