December 15/05 11:38 am - Halifax to Bid for 2014 Commonwealth Games

Posted by Editoress on 12/15/05
 

Halifax to Bid for 2014 Commonwealth Games
Canada Newswire

Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) announced today that Halifax has won the right to be Canada's bid city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Hamilton, Ottawa and the Regional Municipality of York were also in contention for the bid. The official announcement was made today during a press conference in Toronto.

The recommendation was provided by CGC Bid Review Committee (BRC) to the CGC Board of directors for ratification. The BRC was chaired by Wayne Hellquist of Regina, Sask. The committee members were Claire Carver Dias of Toronto, Ont., James Ingram of Toronto, Timothy Page of Ottawa, Suzanne Coffey of Fredericton and Kim Browning of Winnipeg.

"All the bids represented excellent candidates but only one can be chosen," Thomas Jones, CEO of COMMONWEALTH Games Canada. "Canada has a fantastic reputation for hosting international events. We're confident that Halifax can be added to that long list in 2014."

"I'm confident we can show the Commonwealth Games Federation that we can unite incredible support for these Games from across Canada," said Claude Bennett, President of CGC. "When hosting international Games, Canada works with all levels of government to achieve success. At the 1994 Games in Victoria, more than 15,000 volunteers assured a successful Games."

Halifax has a well-earned reputation for staging world-class sporting events. The World Figure Skating Championship, the World Women's Hockey Championship, the World Junior Hockey Championship and the World Canoe Championship are events that established their commitment to excellence. As well, in June 1995, Nova Scotia hosted the world at the Halifax Summit for the G-7.

Canada is hoping to land the Commonwealth Games for the first time since 1994 in Victoria. Canada was also host in 1978 in Edmonton, 1954 in Vancouver and 1930 in Hamilton.

The Commonwealth Games Federation will announce the host city for the 2014 Games at an Annual General Assembly in Sri Lanka on November 9, 2007.