Canada and the Pan American Games, 2015

There's been a lot of reecent discussion about Canada bidding for the 2015 Pan American Games. They were last hosted by Canada in 1999, and by 2015, it will be high time that they are held in this country.
Certainly Ontario would be a fine host, but other provinces, like Alberta, would do a good job.
Canada needs to get its act together. A multi-sport summer event is imperative. Our young people need to see our heros, need to feel the excitement, and need to leadership that the PAG would offer.
Below, Gross speeaks to benefits for soccer that a multi-sport games would bring. Just think of all the other summer sports that would benefit!!

By George Gross, The Toroonto Sun
March 3, 2008

Soccer in southern Ontario would receive a major kick forward if Premier Dalton McGuinty took on a leadership role in acquiring the 2015 Pan American Games for the region.
Part of the job already has been done by Michael Chambers of Ottawa, the president of the Canadian Olympic Committee, and Paul Henderson of Toronto, a former member of the International Olympic Committee and president of the International Sailing Federation.
The pair recently visited Vasquez Rana in Mexico City, head of the Pan-American Games and, therefore, the most influential person to talk to about southern Ontario's bid plans. They came away satisfied that this area would have a good chance of getting the Sport Festival of the Americas, providing the Ontario government would take on a leadership role.
"Improved soccer and other sports facilities would benefit from us hosting the 2015 Games," Henderson said yesterday. "For instance, the final of the soccer tournament would be played at the new Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, a site which could be built only if we get the Games.
"Cities such as Barrie, St. Catharines, London could benefit from the Games by hosting various events.

"We can't wait for the feds to do something internationally. The Ontario preem has to grab the bull by the horns and lead our Pan-Am bid just like B.C. Premier (Gordon) Campbell supported Vancouver's Olympic bid."
Henderson is frustrated and I can understand it. After all, Ontario hasn't played host to a major international multi-sport event since 1932. And that, friends, was 76 years ago!

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