Vancouver plays host to the Americas Masters games that are played in various locations in and around the Vancouver area and kick-off August 26th.
The games run till September 4th and the event promotes friendship and understanding among mature sports people, regardless of age, gender, race and religion.
The $3.5 million event features 22 sports and is expected to attract over 10,000, which includes over 5,000 Athlete’s who are age 30 and over.
Vancouver welcomed thousands of Americas Master Game’s athletes from 52 countries around the world over the 9 days in total.
The games are unlike the Olympics or Commonwealth games as these are to encourage athletes from the world over to practice sports regularly, keep fit to strive for personal bests in their sport and improve health and fitness levels.
In short it’s not about winning, but rather the overall celebration and winning is known as “Participation” from everyone.
This event is a regionalized branch of the World Masters Games with the first event held in 1985 in Toronto.
In a manner of speaking it’s somewhat similar to the Out Games, but they are mostly intended for those who identify as gay, bisexual or other sexual minorities in today’s world.
Rob Newman is the CEO of Sport BC and he along with others are helping organize the games and went on to state facts on the overall budget.
It’s reported that 15% is from the City of Vancouver, 15% is from the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association and the Provincial Government is kicking in 12%.
Registration fee per athlete is $215, which is to make up 30% as well as revenue from several sponsors, which is expected to bring in an additional 10%.
Opening ceremonies took place at the Jack Poole Plaza at 6 PM Friday August 27th, with many Athletes coming to Vancouver for the first time.
Sport BC normally employs six employees but they began to hire additional staff about 18 months ago.
Nice, France hosted the 2015 European Masters Games while Auckland, New Zealand has sights set to host the 2017 World Masters Games.
Ty Speer Tourism Vancouver CEO mentioned to the media “It’s good for Vancouver to have this critical-mass event at the end of the summer season and this is part of our sport-hosting strategy to have events like this.”
Speer believes the event will add to Vancouver’s reputation as a city for athletics and sport.
Attending the games we will see a various age of participants with the oldest being a Lady Javelin thrower who is a young 101.
The Americas Master Games athletes were welcomed by dignitaries from the Provincial and International Governments as well as the City of Vancouver.
Each evening you can be entertained (free) to events for all ages at the Jack Poole Plaza which is located next to the Trade and Convention Centre West.
Many of the sports will be played at the University of British Columbia (UBC) which include baseball (UBC Thunderbird Park Baseball Field), Athletics (Rashpal Dhillon Track & Field Oval) and Field Hockey is played at UBC Wright Field.
Continuing on Golf will be played at three Vancouver courses – namely; McCleery, Fraserview, and Langara courses.
For a complete look at the event coming to Vancouver for events and times go their website americasmastersgames2016.com
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