Canada Hosts the World's Top Para-Swimmers at the Toronto 2015 Games Aquatics Centre

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 20, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Corneliu Chisu, Member of Parliament (Pickering-Scarborough East), on behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today announced the Government of Canada is providing $30,000 to Swimming Canada through Sport Canada's Hosting Program for the 2015 SPEEDO CAN-AM Para-Swimming Championships, which are taking place in Toronto from March 20 to 22.

This important competition is a test event for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games this summer, as well as a qualifier for the selection of both the Canadian and US teams for these Games.

Quick Facts

• The CAN-AM Para-Swimming Championships are held every year and attract close to 200 athletes from 11 countries. Other countries have been invited to add depth of field in the qualification heats. Only Canadian and US athletes will participate in the final races in order to allow maximum opportunities to qualify for national teams.
• This competition is also a qualifier for the International Paralympic Committee World Championships and the Parapan Pacific Swimming Championships.
• As part of its $500-million investment in the Toronto 2015 Games, the Government of Canada has provided up to $114.9 million for the cost of the construction of the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre and Field House. This represents 56 percent of the project's total cost of $205.1 million.
• Sport Canada's Hosting Program has provided a total of up to $205,000 to five Swimming Canada international events in 2014-15, including this competition.
• Sport Canada is also providing up to $5,620,000 through the Sport Support Program to Swimming Canada for its sport programming and operations in 2014-15.
• From November 1, 2014 to October 31, 2015, Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program is allocating approximately $457,000 to support 29 para-athletes and approximately $992,000 to 76 able-bodied athletes with living, training and special needs expenses to help them focus on their pursuit of excellence.
• Swimming Canada is the national governing body and franchise holder for the sport of swimming in Canada. It is an organization made up of 10 provincial sections representing 75,000 members and 400 swim clubs across the country, and is a member of the Fédération internationale de natation (FINA).

Quotes

"With just a few months to the start of the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games, these championships will provide Canada's best para-swimmers with an amazing opportunity to perform in front of their home crowd. As we celebrate the Year of Sport in Canada, this is such an exciting time for sport in our county. Our Government strongly believes in supporting our athletes so they can reach their full potential while leaving great legacies for future generations."

-The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

"It's a tremendous privilege to host an international event like this in our region, as we get to see our best para-swimmers in action as they prepare for the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games this summer. Watching them compete in this state-of-the-art facility provides a glimpse of what awaits us during the Games. I invite our community to come out and see what it's all about. Go Canada!"

-Corneliu Chisu, Member of Parliament (Pickering-Scarborough East)

"The Government of Canada has time and time again shown its commitment to sport. Whether it's international high-performance events or investing in long-term athlete development, this is just another example of how the Government of Canada is committed to investing in Canadians through sport. The CAN-AM Para-swimming Championships represent one of several events that will highlight this throughout 2015, the Year of Sport in Canada."

- Ahmed El-Awadi, CEO, Swimming Canada

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Sport

Swimming Canada

Year of Sport in Canada

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