by Michelle Greysen

Created on: February 04, 2010

The Canadian Games have been showcasing amateur athletic talents since their inception during the Canadian Centennial in 1967. This alternating year event of both Summer and Winter Games has since been held in every province across the country has hosted to date over 45,000 young athletes competing in over 40 different sports.

The Games focus on sports development building programs and facilities across the country creating a legacy of access to physical activity and inspiring Canadian youth to dreams of being champions. Over the years many stars have risen from these Canadian Games.

The first year, 1967 brought forward Toller Cranston competing for Team Quebec in figure skating and winning a gold medal at the game. Cranston then went on to earn five National Titles, a two time Olympian in 1972 and 1976, and was nominated to membership in the Order of Canada and is showcased in the Canadian Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

In 1983 Canada’s sweetheart speed skater, Catriona LeMay Doan earned a Bronze for Team Saskatchewan and in 1987 returned to take both a bronze and a silver medal. Her career went on to accomplish many National accolades and World titles including a three time Olympian medalist and Flag Bearer who still today defends many of her record times.

In the 1990’s Marc Gagnon also rocked the men’s speed skating world at the Canadian Games taking a gold for his Quebec team and then continuing his success into four World Championships, two silver World Championships and a three time Olympian medalist making him the most decorated Olympic athlete in Canadian History.

Competing in the Canada Games in 2003 was a young hockey player Sidney Crosby competing for Team Nova Scotia. Crosby personally led the tournament with 9 goals scored and 16 points and went on to play on the World Cup Team in 2003, was the youngest player to Canada’s National Junior Team in 2004 and by 2005 was drafted as 1st overall to the NHL and becoming the youngest player to score 100 points in his NHL 2005-06 rookie season.

With the 2010 Olympics kicking off the Canada Games Alumni is strongly represented by 80 members, 44%, of the athletes on Team Canada having competed in the Canada Games, including seven of the eight member Biathlon team and 70% of the Speed Skating team.

Upcoming stars of the Canadian games to watch for at the 2010 Olympics include previous 2006 Olympian Gold medalists Jennifer Heil in Freestyle and Chandra Crawford in Cross-Country Skiing. Carrying the flag for Canada is five-time Olympic Speed Skating medalist Clara Hughes. But for many the athlete to watch is Sidney Crosby competing in his first Olympic Games.

Learn more about this author, Michelle Greysen.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.