OutSport Toronto Chair Shawn Sheridan and I met last week with community outreach representatives from the 2015 Pan/ParaPan American Games, set to take place in Toronto from July 10-26, 2015 (Pan Am Games) and August 7-14, 2015 (ParaPan Am Games).  The Pan/ParaPan Am Games are the world’s third largest athletic competition and are expected to draw more than 10,000 athletes and officials from 42 nations, featuring 48 sports in 17 municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. An integral part of the Pan American vision is to involve and help transform the communities the Games touch by: Â
- Inspiring children to participate in sport;
- Engaging local communities to embrace the Games as their own;
- Celebrating and involving Toronto’s multicultural population;
- Connecting the Pan American region through summits, conferences and workshops; and
- Leaving a legacy of sustainable excellence.
In the months and years leading up to 2015, we will continue our dialogue with the Pan/ParaPan Am Games organising committee and will report back regularly as ideas emerge and evolve for what an LGBT presence at the Games might look like. But most importantly, we will also be seeking input from you, our member organisations. The Pan/ParaPan Am Games are committed to embedding diversity in every aspect of its business, including human resources policies and recruiting for staff and volunteers. The Games represent an ideal opportunity for OutSport Toronto and its member organisations to showcase their activities and talent, encourage participation in sport within the LGBT community, connect with other sports communities across the GTA, and show athletes from all corners of the Americas that LGBT athletes have a rightful place among them.
For more information on the Games, please see www.toronto2015.org. Â
