Competitive spirit

Canada Games celebrates fiftieth anniversary.

A half-century ago, more than 1,800 athletes made sports history in Québec City by taking part in the first Canada Winter Games.

A celebration of the country’s best young amateur athletes, the games are held every two years, alternating between summer and winter events.The first games, held in February 1967 to commemorate the centennial of Confederation, featured the motto “Unity Through Sport.”

Today the Canada Games is Canada’s biggest multi-sport competition. Not only do the games triumph in bringing Canada together under the flaming spirit of competition, they also provide young Canadian athletes with the training, experience, and stepping stones they need to succeed in their future athletic endeavours.

The 2017 Canada Summer Games will be held in Winnipeg from July 28 to August 13.

Harry Jerome holds the Canadian flag at the opening ceremonies of the first Canada Summer Games at HalifaxDarmouth, 1969.

Middle right: Prime Minister Lester Pearson congratulates medal winners of women’s gymnastics at the first Canada Winter Games at Quebec City, 1967.

Bottom right: Games participants lounge in the athletes village during the second Canada Summer Games at New WestminsterBurnaby, British Columbia, 1973.