2015 Parapan American Games
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The 2015 Parapan American Games, officially the V Parapan American Games and commonly known as the Toronto 2015 ParaPan-Am Games, were a major international
The Games hosted 1,608 athletes representing 28
Bidding process
The Canadian Olympic Committee chose Toronto and the surrounding region as the Canadian candidate. No other Canadian city was given a chance to bid in a domestic race, and thus Toronto was selected without a vote.[2] Toronto's interest in bidding came after failing to land the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 2008 Summer Olympics, which were held in Atlanta and Beijing respectively.
On February 23, 2009, both
PASO made an evaluation visit to Toronto between August 30 and 31, 2009. The team analyzed the candidate city features and provided its feedback back to voting members of PASO. The evaluation committee was headed by
Toronto won the bidding process to host the Pan and Parapan American Games by a vote of the
2015 Parapan American Games bidding results | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
City | NOC | Round 1 | ||||
Toronto | Canada | 33 | ||||
Lima | Peru | 11 | ||||
Bogotá | Colombia | 7 |
Development and preparation
Venues
Toronto became one of the most populous cities to ever hold the Parapan American Games. In August, the month when the Games was held, Toronto has an average temperature of 21 °C (70 °F). Toronto's summer temperatures around August are warm, and the city averages less than five days with the temperature going above 30 °C (86 °F). As well in August Toronto averages about 67mm of precipitation. Moreover, Toronto's elevation is at 112 m (367 ft) above sea level, which provides optimal and ideal conditions for athletes.[8]
In January 2012, the organizing committee announced that sixty percent of the originally proposed venues would be dropped, in favour of a clustering system seen at other multi-sport events such as the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Great Britain.[9]
Athletes' living quarters were at the 2015 Pan American Games Athletes' Village.
The opening ceremonies was held at the
- Markham Pan Am Centre in Markham
- Mississauga
- Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario
- Abilities Centre in Whitby
Infrastructure and budget
The
Many transit improvements in Toronto were made in time for these games. These included the Union Pearson Express airport rail link.[13]
Village
The Athlete's village cost $735 million
Medals
In October 2013 it was announced that the medals for the games would be produced and designed by the Royal Canadian Mint.[16] In September 2014 it was announced that the supplier of the raw minerals used in the medals (over 4,000 in total) would be Barrick Gold. All the materials used in the medals will come from the company's operations in the Americas region.[17] The copper was mined at the company's Zaldivar mine in Chile, the silver at the Pueblo Viejo mine in the Dominican Republic and the gold was mined at the Hemlo mine in Northern Ontario.[18]
The designs of the medals, created by artist Christi Belcourt were revealed on March 3, 2015 at a ceremony at the Royal Ontario Museum. Each of them are roughly 86.7 millimetres in diameter and weigh about 350 grams. The front of the medal featured three shapes representing three regions of the Americas: North America, Central America and the Caribbean, and South America. It also featured Braille for the first time.[19] The back of the medal featured the logo and motto of the games and the elements of mokume-gane.[20][21]
Volunteers
The organization committee expected 23,000 volunteers to be required for Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.[22] Over 63,000 applicants applied to become a volunteer.[23] A total of 6,688 volunteers participated as part of the Games.[24]
Ticketing
Ticket sales began on March 25, 2015.[25] More than 90,000 out of the 200,000 tickets available were sold.[26]
Torch relay
The Parapan torch relay consisted of a 5-day journey, visiting 12 communities. Two torches were lit, one in the west at Niagara Falls and one in the east at Ottawa. Both make their way towards and reunite in Toronto.[27]
Marketing
Mascot
Pachi was chosen as the Games mascot in 2013. The design was based on porcupine. Porcupines have relatively poor vision, so the choice of basing Pachi's design on a porcupine is said to be a symbolic bond with the athletes of the Parapan Games.[28]
The Games
Ceremonies
The Opening Ceremony was held on August 7, 2015 at the CIBC Pan Am and Parapan Am Athletics Stadium,[29] while the closing ceremony was held on 15 August 2015 at Nathan Phillips Square.[30]
Opening ceremony
Before the ceremony began, the president of the Americas Paralympic Committee, Jose Luis Campo and Governor General David Johnston were introduced and entered the box of honour officially. This was followed by a countdown of number 20 to 0.
A rendition of Canada's national anthem was performed by Franco-Ontarian Gabrielle Goulet during the raising of the flag of the host country by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Ontario Provincial Police and after that, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules of the Royal Canadian Air Force flew past over the stadium.[31]
The ceremony began with an introductory performance called Migration of honour which represents the four elements of life: earth, water, wind and fire. It featured acrobatic dancers and performers from country’s four ancestral nations - The
During the ceremony, Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) flag was carried into the stadium by Arnold Boldt, Tim McIsaac, Chelsey Gotell, Paul Rosen, Robert Hampson, David Shannon, Patrick Jarvis and Dr. Robert Steadward and raised to the Paralympic Anthem.[33] Toronto 2015 chief executive Saäd Rafi and APC president Jose gave their speeches before Governor General David Johnston declare the games opened. Benoit Huot read the athletes’ oath, while cycling coach Sebastien Travers read the coaches oath. The ceremony featured dance and song performances produced by B5C Productions in a joint venture between local company BaAM Productions and American-based FiveCurrents, which symbolized unity through diversity. During the final torch relay, the flame was brought in by activist and athlete Rick Hansen and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) program host Rick Mercer and passed to wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc who lit the cauldron. The ceremony concluded with Francesco Yates performing songs from debut album.[34]
Parade of Nations
Order | Nation | Spanish | French | Flag bearer | Sport |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Argentina (ARG) | Argentina | Argentine | Rodrigo Lopez | Cycling |
2 | Aruba (ARU) | Aruba | Aruba | Albertino Maduro | Athletics |
3 | Barbados (BAR) | Barbados | Barbade | David Taylor | Swimming |
4 | Bermuda (BER) | Bermuda | Bermudes | Yushae DeSilva-Andrade | Boccia |
5 | Brazil (BRA) | Brasil | Brésil | Terezinha Guilhermina | Athletics |
6 | Chile (CHI) | Chile | Chili | Cristian Valenzuela | Athletics |
7 | Colombia (COL) | Colombia | Colombie | Carlos Daniel Serrano | Swimming |
8 | Costa Rica (CRC) | Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Jose Jimenez Hernandez | Athletics |
9 | Cuba (CUB) | Cuba | Cuba | Yunidis Castillo | Athletics |
10 | Dominican Republic (DOM) | República Dominicana | République dominicaine | Wemerson Garcia De La Rosa | Athletics |
11 | Ecuador (ECU) | Ecuador | Equateur | Darwin Castro | Athletics |
12 | El Salvador (ESA) | El Salvador | Salvador | Gabriel Espinoza Macal | Table tennis |
13 | Guatemala (GUA) | Guatemala | Guatemala | Isaac Leiva Avila | Athletics |
14 | Haiti (HAI) | Haití | Haïti | Nephtalie Jean-Louis | Athletics |
15 | Honduras (HON) | Honduras | Honduras | Carlos Velasquez Hernandez | Athletics |
16 | Jamaica (JAM) | Jamaica | Jamaïque | Tevaughn Thomas | Athletics |
17 | Mexico (MEX) | México | Mexique | Nely Miranda | Swimming |
18 | Nicaragua (NCA) | Nicaragua | Nicaragua | Gabriel Cuadra Holmann | Athletics |
19 | Panama (PAN) | Panamá | Panama | Cesar Barria | Swimming |
20 | Peru (PER) | Perú | Perou | Pedro Pablo de Vinatea | Swimming |
21 | Puerto Rico (PUR) | Puerto Rico | Porto Rico | Carlos Ocasio | Wheelchair basketball |
22 | Suriname (SUR) | Surinam | Suriname | Sefanja Hankers | Swimming |
23 | Trinidad and Tobago (TTO) | Trinidad y Tobago | Trinité-et-Tobago | Carlos Grenne | Athletics |
24 | United States (USA) | Estados Unidos de América | États-Unis D'Amerique | Curtis Lovejoy[35] | Swimming |
25 | Uruguay (URU) | Uruguay | Uruguay | Henry Burgos | Judo |
26 | Virgin Islands (ISV) | Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos | Îles Vierges des États-Unis | Ivan Espinosa | Athletics |
27 | Venezuela (VEN) | Venezuela | Venezuela | Luis Paiva | Athletics |
28 | Canada (CAN) | Canadá | Canada | Marco Dispaltro[36] | Boccia |
Closing ceremony
The ceremony began with the introduction of Toronto mayor and APC president Campo. The ceremony featured Sean Jones rendition of Canada's national anthem, the Franco-Ontarian urban folk band Le Group Swing, performances from Grammy award-winner Wyclef Jean, as well as country music singer-songwriter Meghan Patrick. That night, president of the Americas Paralympic Committee, Jose Luis Campo described the Games "the best Parapan American Games ever".[37] After Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer and Campo gave their speeches, Campo declared the games closed and the Americas Paralympic Committee flag was lowered. Toronto Mayor John Tory passed the APC flag over to Lima Mayor Luis Castañeda Lossio through Campo. A cultural performance from Peru was presented to symbolize Peru as the host of the next edition. The flame was extinguished when spoken word artist Mustafa the Poet performed on stage. The ceremony concluded with fireworks released to the sky.[38][39]
Participating nations
28 nations competed at the Games.
Participating National Paralympic Committees |
---|
|
Number of athletes by National Paralympic Committee
IPC | Country | Athletes |
---|---|---|
BRA | Brazil | 276 |
USA | United States | 246 |
CAN | Canada | 209 |
MEX | Mexico | 181 |
ARG | Argentina | 177 |
COL | Colombia | 140 |
VEN | Venezuela | 113 |
CHI | Chile | 60 |
CUB | Cuba | 57 |
PUR | Puerto Rico | 29 |
CRC | Costa Rica | 27 |
GUA | Guatemala | 27 |
ESA | El Salvador | 22 |
PER | Peru | 16 |
ECU | Ecuador | 13 |
URU | Uruguay | 12 |
NCA | Nicaragua | 10 |
DOM | Dominican Republic | 8 |
JAM | Jamaica | 6 |
PAN | Panama | 5 |
HON | Honduras | 4 |
TRI | Trinidad and Tobago | 4 |
BER | Bermuda | 3 |
SUR | Suriname | 2 |
ARU | Aruba | 1 |
BAR | Barbados | 1 |
HAI | Haiti | 1 |
ISV | Virgin Islands | 1 |
Sports
Fifteen sports, the most ever for a
- Archery (4) ( )
- Athletics (114) ( )
- Boccia (7) ( )
- Cycling ( )
- Football 5-a-side (1) ()
- Football 7-a-side (1) ()
- Goalball (2) ( )
- Judo (9) ( )
- Powerlifting (12) ( )
- Sitting volleyball (2) ( )
- Swimming (116) ( )
- Table tennis (24) ( )
- Wheelchair basketball (2) ( )
- Wheelchair rugby (1) ( )
- Wheelchair tennis (4) ( )
Calendar
OC | Opening ceremony | ● | Event competitions | 1 | Event finals | CC | Closing ceremony |
August | 7 Fri |
8 Sat |
9 Sun |
10 Mon |
11 Tue |
12 Wed |
13 Thu |
14 Fri |
15 Sat |
Events |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ceremonies | OC | CC | ||||||||
Archery | ● | 4 | 4 | |||||||
Athletics | 21 | 26 | 19 | 22 | 26 | 114 | ||||
Boccia | 3 | ● | ● | 4 | 7 | |||||
Cycling | 7 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 18 | |||||
Football 5-a-side | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | |||
Football 7-a-side | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | |||
Goalball | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
Judo | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 | ||||||
Powerlifting | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | |||||
Sitting volleyball | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 2 | 2 | ||
Swimming | 16 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 116 | ||
Table tennis | ● | 3 | 14 | ● | 3 | 4 | 24 | |||
Wheelchair basketball | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Wheelchair rugby | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | ||
Wheelchair tennis | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
Total events | 29 | 21 | 64 | 54 | 42 | 51 | 53 | 3 | 317 | |
Cumulative total | 29 | 50 | 114 | 168 | 210 | 261 | 314 | 317 | — | |
August | 7 Fri |
8 Sat |
9 Sun |
10 Mon |
11 Tue |
12 Wed |
13 Thu |
14 Fri |
15 Sat |
Events |
Medal table
The final medal count.[43] * Host nation (Canada)
Rank | NPC | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brazil (BRA) | 109 | 74 | 74 | 257 |
2 | Canada (CAN)* | 50 | 63 | 55 | 168 |
3 | United States (USA) | 40 | 51 | 44 | 135 |
4 | Mexico (MEX) | 38 | 36 | 39 | 113 |
5 | Colombia (COL) | 24 | 36 | 30 | 90 |
6 | Cuba (CUB) | 19 | 15 | 13 | 47 |
7 | Argentina (ARG) | 18 | 25 | 24 | 67 |
8 | Venezuela (VEN) | 8 | 14 | 25 | 47 |
9 | Chile (CHI) | 4 | 2 | 6 | 12 |
10 | Jamaica (JAM) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
11 | Trinidad and Tobago (TTO) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
12 | Ecuador (ECU) | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
13 | Bermuda (BER) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Uruguay (URU) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
15 | Nicaragua (NCA) | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
16 | Costa Rica (CRC) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Puerto Rico (PUR) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
18 | Dominican Republic (DOM) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Totals (18 entries) | 317 | 318 | 324 | 959 |
See also
References
- ^
Dakshana Bascaramurty (July 3, 2015). "Glamour, pride and cash: Why cities compete to put on a sports spectacle". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
Winnipeg – the only other Canadian city ever to be a Pan Am host, which it has done twice – had a modest goal as well as a modest budget.
- Postmedia Network Inc. Archived from the originalon September 12, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
- ^ "Pan Am Games bid gets critical endorsement". CNW Group. February 23, 2009. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
- ^ "Toronto Submits 2015 Pan American Games Bid Book". canadiancyclist.com/. May 27, 2009. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
- ^ "Pan Am Bid Evaluation Head Enthusiastic About Toronto Venues And Bid Legacy". Barbados Gazette. September 1, 2009. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
- ^ "Toronto wins 2015 Pan Am Games". Toronto Star. John D. Cruickshank. September 9, 2009. Archived from the original on November 9, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
- ^ "Toronto wins bid to host 2015 Pan Am Games". The Canadian Press. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: CP24. November 6, 2009. Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
- ^ "Maintenance". toronto2015.org. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013.
- ^ "Pan Am Games set for big venue changes". thestar.com. January 26, 2012. Archived from the original on April 13, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ "FAQ - Toronto 2015 Pan Am / Parapan Am Games". toronto2015.org. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
- ^ "Toronto's Pan Am costs to double". Toronto Star. January 13, 2011. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
- ^ "Rumbo a 2015 Toronto toma la estafeta panamericana". mediotiempo.com. October 31, 2011.
- ^ Megan O'Toole (December 19, 2011). "Union-Pearson air-rail link construction to start spring 2012". National Post. Archived from the original on June 21, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
- ^ Lysyk, Bonnie (June 1, 2016). "2015 Pan Am/ Parapan Am Games Special Report June 2016" (PDF). www.auditor.on.ca. Ontario Ombudsman. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
- ^ "Toronto 2015 Athletes' Village / West Don Lands / Explore Projects / Waterfront Toronto". Waterfrontoronto.ca. Archived from the original on February 22, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
- ^ Criger, Erin (October 9, 2013). "Royal Canadian Mint to make Toronto Pan Am medals". CityNews. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
- ^ "Barrick named the exclusive provider of gold, silver and bronze for the medals at Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games". barrickbeyondborders.com/. Barrick Gold. September 29, 2014. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
- ^ "Pan Am Games medals unveiled in Toronto". CBC Sports. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. March 3, 2015. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
- ^ "Medals for Toronto Pan Am Games to incorporate Braille for the first time". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. March 3, 2015. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
- TO2015. March 3, 2015. Archived from the originalon March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
- ^ Pavitt, Michael (March 3, 2015). "Toronto 2015 unveil medals for Pan and Parapan American Games". insidethegames.biz/. Insidethegames. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
- ^ Clarke, Katrina (July 3, 2015). "How GTA employees are gearing up for Pan Am traffic". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ Hunter, Paul (June 10, 2015). "Canadian Olympics chief says Toronto ready for bid". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
- City of Toronto. February 26, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ "Parapan Am Games tickets go on sale while Pan Am Games tickets suspended". CBC News. March 25, 2015. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
- ^ "Largest Ever Parapan Am Games Make History". TO2015. August 15, 2015. Archived from the original on August 17, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ^ "Parapan Am Games Torch Relay Route" (PDF). Toronto 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- ^ Dakshana Bascaramurty (November 21, 2014). "Toronto Pan Am Games mascot has cost taxpayers $383,045 so far". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
- ^ Opening ceremony
- ^ Closing ceremony
- ^ "Vibrant Opening Ceremony gets Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games underway". Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Opening Ceremony of Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games". Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Arnold Boldt carries flag at Parapan Am Games". Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
- ^ "The 2015 Parapan Am Games Are ON!". Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
- ^ "Curtis Lovejoy announced as United States flag bearer for Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony". Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Paralympic boccia bronze medallist to carry Canada's flag at Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony". Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ McDermott, Julianna (August 16, 2015). "Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games Praised As The 'Largest, Loudest And Best Ever'". Huffington Post Canada. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Americas Paralympic Committee chief hails Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games as the "best ever"". Archived from the original on October 2, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
- ^ TORONTO 2015 Parapan Am Games End on a High Note
- ^ a b "Maintenance". toronto2015.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
- ^ General schedule
- ^ Medalists
- ^ Medal count
Further reading
Archival holdings
Toronto 2015 Pan Am & Parapan American Games—Web archive collected by the University of Toronto Libraries