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Showing posts with label Canada Summer Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canada Summer Games. Show all posts
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
P.E.I. puts on a show for the entire country - 2009 Canada Games Opening ceremonies
| Related video-on-demand P.E.I. puts on a show for the entire country :Related photo galleries  :2009 Canada Games Opening ceremonies features music, dance and Canada’s best young athletes who are ready to compete NANCY MACPHEE The Journal Pioneer |
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SUMMERSIDE – It was Prince Edward Island’s time to shine on the national stage.
Saturday, thousands of athletes, coaches, family and supporters crammed into Credit Union Place for the opening of the 2009 Canada Games.
And they were treated to quite a show, from a rendition of the national anthem by East Coast Music Award winners, the Grass Mountain Hobos, to a rockin’ performance by Two Hours that had athletes on their feet and pumped to compete.
The two-and-a-half-hour production rivaled any awards show going, with flashy dance numbers, video clips, upbeat performances and all the bells and whistles.
But it was the athletes, on the Island to compete in the first-ever province wide Games, who were truly the stars of the show.
“So many of the athletes who are your role models, those whom you’ve admired since childhood, have competed in the Canada Games in summer and in winter,” said Governor General Michaelle Jean, who officially opened the Games. “But today it is your turn. It is your turn to make your way . . . your turn to stand shoulder to shoulder with our country’s very best, your turn to show the nation what you’ve got.”
The show, televised live on TSN, attracted ministers of Sport from all provinces and territories, various dignitaries, including the Governor General and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and media from across the country.
There were performances by the cast of Highland Storm: The Gael, the Confederation Centre’s Young Company, fiddling sensation Cynthia MacLeod, Chuck & Albert, Meaghan Blanchard, who belted out the Games’ official song “Look Out World” and numerous others.
It was an eclectic mix of P.E.I. culture, one that offered up a slice of what P.E.I. has to offer and had Canada’s best young athletes on their feet, cheering and applauding.
But the loudest cheers were saved for the athletes.
Ushered in by province, athletes and coaches were greeted by thunderous applause, camera flashes and cheers – the loudest for the home team.
Proudly carrying the Island flag, Summerside’s Andrew Costa and the rest of Team P.E.I. were the last to enter and were greeted by a standing ovation.
Since Canada Games’ inception more than four decades ago, 90,000 coaches, officials and volunteers have supported nearly 50,000 young Canadian athletes in their quest for excellence at the Canada Games.
“When I look out at these young people here, what a great country we are going to have long into the future,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“Over the next two weeks thousands of visitors from across our country will get a chance to cheer on the next generation of world-class Canadian athletes. And they will do it enjoying the natural beauty of this Island and the unparalleled hospitality of those who call it home.”
Premier Robert Ghiz said hosting the Games has been a collaborative effort of Islanders from tip to tip. It’s now time this province’s time to shine.
“We’ve worked hard to ensure that over the next two weeks Canadians will enjoy the legendary hospitality of Prince Edward Island,” said Ghiz. “We are excited. We are proud. We are looking forward to the next two weeks.”
Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart encouraged athletes and coaches to ensure they take home warm memories of the city and the Island.
“We’re going to host the best Games ever here in Summerside and on Prince Edward Island,” said Stewart. “We have great facilities, great volunteers, great hospitality.”
Canada Games host society president Joseph Spriet put 1,930 days into planning the Canada Games. Saturday, he was ready to celebrate.
“It is a rare opportunity for any community or region in this country to host such a magnificent event as the Canada Games,” said Spriet. “There are few things that Canadians do voluntarily and with enthusiasm that bind this country together like this event.”
He added, “We have invited you to come and play on our Island. And now I invite all of you to play at your best and share the spirit of the 2009 Canada Games.”
The Island Games is the last for Canada Games Council chair Terry Smith.
He had these words for the athletes: “Perform, have fun, make friends and never forget the Canada Games.”
But the best words of advice came from Summerside native and Olympian Heather Moyse, who competed in the Canada Games in Brandon, Man., 1995.
She tried to put the Games into perspective, based on her experiences.
Moyse said the Games, for some, will be the pinnacle of their athletic career and, for others, just the beginning.
“When I look out into this whole sea of athletes what I see is endless potential,” she added. “These are your Games. Make what you want of them. Make yourself proud.”
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Games’ torch comes off ferry to start relayc
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=276078&sc=98
Games’ torch comes off ferry to start relay
The GuardianPremier Robert Ghiz will help kick off the 2009 Canada Games torch relay Monday by running the first leg after the torch arrives on the ferry at Wood Islands at 9:30 a.m.
On hand to welcome the torch on the crossing from Caribou, N.S. will be Ghiz, Joseph Spriet, president, 2009 Canada Games; Terry Shea, general manager, P.E.I. Mutual Insurance Company and Mark MacDonald, CEO of Northumberland Ferries.
When the ferry docks, Spriet will accept the torch and then hand it to Ghiz, who will run the first leg of the relay. A news conference will be held prior to the ferry’s arrival.
P.E.I. Mutual Insurance Company is the title sponsor for the relay which will last six days before ending in Summerside.
The torch will make its journey across the Island, being passed from runner to runner, until it hits Tignish and returns to Summerside for the opening ceremonies on Aug. 15.
Spriet has expressed his excitement at the prospect of the upcoming relay.
“This torch relay kickoff is actually a real beginning of getting the Games going in our community,” said Spriet.
“Our Games will unite P.E.I. from one tip of the province to the other in celebration of the opportunity to show the rest of the country what Prince Edward Island is all about.”
Torchbearers were chosen in a public competition. Groups, consisting of five to seven individuals, will carry the torch for a 12-kilometre section of highway. The competition was open to residents of P.E.I. only.
There will be 19 legs of the relay, which will cover 491 kilometres of Island highways. Runners will start each morning between 9 and 10 a.m. and will finish for the day between 3 and 5 p.m.
Organizers have hinted there will be a surprise carrier who will run the torch into the opening ceremonies.
The torch itself will zigzag its way across the province and pass through several communities, including Wood Islands, Montague, Cardigan, Souris, St. Peters, Stratford, Charlottetown, Cornwall, Crapaud, New Glasgow, Cavendish, Kensington, Abram-village, O'Leary, Tignish, Alberton, Tyne Valley, Wellington and Summerside.
On Monday, the route will cover Wood Islands to Pooles Corner, then to Fortune and Souris. On Tuesday, the torch heads to St. Peters, Morell, Stratford and Charlottetown.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Volleyball competitor to carry P.E.I. flag
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=276030&sc=98Volleyball competitor to carry P.E.I. flag
The Guardian
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Andrew Costa, a beach and indoor volleyball competitor from Summerside, will represent Team P.E.I. as Flag Bearer at the opening ceremonies of the 2009 Canada Summer Games.
The son of Frank and Elizabeth Costa of Summerside, Andrew will be entering his third year of Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, and is a member of the UNB Varsity Reds volleyball team.
He graduated from Three Oaks Senior High School in 2007 where he was a PEISAA all-star in volleyball in 2006 and 2007. He also won the Three Oaks Senior High School Spirit Award in 2007.
Costa began playing volleyball in elementary school and continued in junior high, influenced by his two sisters and brother who also played the sport. In 2008, he was member of the P.E.I. team that won the Atlantic Beach Championships, at Parlee Beach, New Brunswick. He also competed in track and field in high school.
As one of the few athletes to compete in two sports in one set of Canada Games, Andrew will be competing in beach volleyball during the first week of the Games in Summerside, and in indoor volleyball during the second week in Charlottetown.
The opening ceremonies for the 2009 Canada Summer Games will be held at Credit Union Place and televised on TSN2 on Saturday, August 15 at 1 p.m.
Islanders invited to athletes' rally for Team P.E.I.
Islanders invited to athletes' rally for Team P.E.I.
The Guardian
Islanders are being invited to cheer on members of Team P.E.I. at an athletes rally next Wedneday in Summerside with the opening of the 2009 Canada Summer Games just a week away.
Premier Robert Ghiz and Sports Minister Carolyn Bertram are inviting all Islanders to show support for Team P.E.I.’s athletes and artists in the final days leading up to the 2009 Canada Games.
“This rally is a great opportunity for Islanders to meet the athletes, artists, coaches, managers and mission staff who will be representing our province at the 2009 Canada Games,” said Ghiz.
“I hope Islanders will get behind our athletes andartists and cheer them on at the rally and throughout the Games.”
The Team P.E.I. Athlete’s Rally will be held Wednesday, August 12, at 7 p.m. at Credit Union Place in Summerside. This is the only time all members of Team PEI will be together under one roof.
“Team P.E.I. participants have put a lot of time and effort into preparing for these games,” said Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour. “This exciting event will allow us all to show our enthusiasm for the games, and demonstrate just how proud we are of our home team.”
Everyone is welcome and there is no charge to attend the rally.
However, supporters are invited to bring non-perishable food items which will then be donated to the Salvation Army Food Bank in Summerside.
Team P.E.I. has a delegation size of 316 participants made up of 23 teams who will participate in 18 sports and the National Artist Program during the two weeks of the Canada Games.
Throughout the two weeks of the Canada Games, the Team P.E.I. mission office will be staffed from 7 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. daily. Contact information: Ph (902) 620-0909, Fax (902) 620-0870, email teampei@2009canadagames.ca, online www.teampei.ca
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