Round 2: What to expect from the Parapan Am Games

With more than 1,600 athletes from 28 countries headed for Toronto, these Parapan American Games are the largest ever held, according to organizers.

With almost two weeks before the Games begin, the city has time to take a breath and recalibrate before it’s in full-on Panamania once again. Here’s how the city will prepare for Round 2.

Torch relay On Aug. 3, the Parapan Am torch relay kicks off. Two flames will start at opposite ends of southern Ontario, travelling along the waterfront to unite in Toronto for the opening ceremony on Aug. 7.

The flames start their five-day journey from Niagara Falls and Ottawa, with stops and parties in St. Catharines, Burlington, Kingston and Oshawa among others along the way. In all, more than 250 torchbearers will carry the flame more than 700 kilometres.

Athletes village All remaining athletes village residents had to check out after Sunday night’s Pan Am Games closing ceremony.

Organizers will now furiously turn over the rooms and prepare for the arrival of Parapan athletes, officials and coaches starting Aug. 2. Transportation Just as we were getting used to them, the carpool restrictions have changed in the temporary highoccupancy vehicle lanes. Starting Tuesday and lasting until Aug. 18, drivers with just one extra passenger have a ticket to ride in HOV style.

And though temporary lanes are still in play, the smaller footprint means the lanes west of Bronte Rd. in Oakville are no longer needed. Venues Parapan athletes will hit the court, track and pool at 12 venues across the region, including the newly-built Aquatics Centre and Field House at the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus.

The centre was built with accessibility in mind, including service animal relief areas, varying counter heights, low windows and wide hallways and doorways as part of its core design.

The Milton velodrome lies on the western border of the Parapan Am Games footprint and Markham’s Abilities Centre marks the eastern edge. Markham’s new Pan Am Centre, to host table tennis, will be the most northerly venue. Culture Nightly Panamania concerts are on hold until the opening ceremonies, which take place at the North York track venue. Free concerts in Nathan Phillips Square will start again on Aug. 7, with big-name acts such as The Roots, Jann Arden and A Tribe Called Red still to take the stage.

As part of the Parapan portion of the arts and culture festival, performances such as PUSH! Real Athletes. Real Stories. Real Theatre. will take up themes of disability.

The stage production co-produced by Toronto-based Tangled Art + Disability tells the history of Paralympic sport through the eyes of six athletes.