The Canada Winter Games will be held in Whitehorse, Yukon from February 24 to March 10, 2007. It is estimated that 3,500 athletes, coaches and officials will be participating, with over 4,500 volunteers supporting the 22 sport and cultural events that will take place over the two week period.
In 2007, the Canada Games will celebrate its 40th anniversary and what better place to host that milestone event than in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Bravo to the bid committee and to the youth of the North who will benefit from the facilities created for the Games. To the Government of Canada, congratulations for making it possible for the Canada Games to make its mark north of 60. The Canada Games are the country’s largest multi-sport event and are the pinnacle of inter-provincial and inter-territorial sport competition. The Games are held at two year intervals, alternating between winter and summer. Québec City hosted the first Canada Games during the 1967 Centennial celebrations. The 2007 Games will be the first to be held in the North.
I am curious as to how a community of just over 23,000 would have accommodations available to host over 3600 athletes, coaches etc. Isn’t weather a concern that time of year as far as traveling to this location? If you’re from that area of Canada and can post a reply to my questions that would be appreciated.
Only half of the 3600 participants will be in Whitehorse each week. Whitehorse has also hosted the Arctic Winter Games many times and that multi-games event has the same number of partipants (1800)for a week. For the Arctic Games, athletes stay in school classrooms, but that sort of accomodation does not meet CWGs standards. So there have been two permanent structures built as the athlete village which are basically apartment buildings. They are very spacious and each has its own kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedrooms.
As far as the weather, most people would be surprised at how mild the winters in Yukon actually are. For example it’s been hovering between 0 and -10 for the past several weeks. It can certainly get much colder during a Yukon winter, but we shall simply have to hope that doesn’t happen.
Of the sports participating in the winter games, most are held indoors. Only the alpine events, biathalon, X-Country skiing and long track are outdoors.
I believe everyone who comes to the 2007 CWGs will have a most memorable experience. Whitehorse is a beautiful city and is home to some of the most friendly people you’ll ever meet.