Toronto launches three-year countdown to 2015 Pan American Games

TORONTO – The three-year countdown to the 2015 Pan American Games has officially started in Toronto.

Mayor Rob Ford and representatives from the federal and provincial government were on hand to raise an official Toronto 2015 flag.

The ceremony this afternoon at City Hall featured sports demonstrations as well as performances from Canadian artists such as Kardinal Offishall.

The countdown celebrations also included the unveiling of two month-long city-wide cultural projects.

More than 40 pianos painted by participating Pan Am countries have been placed throughout the downtown core for public use, and a photo exhibit at City Hall will illustrate the experiences of new Canadian citizens.

Ian Troop, chief executive of the To2015 committee, said the artistic projects are meant to engage the public in an overlooked aspect of the Games.

“From the very beginning, when the bid to host the 2015 Games was first envisioned, it was very clear that TORONTO 2015 was going to be about more than sports and athletic achievement,” Troop said in a statement.

“The common thread uniting our cultural programs and events is that they are accessible to everyone. These are the ‘People’s Games,” Troop says. “They will involve and engage our diverse population, and enable them to tell their own stories.”

The Pan Am Games, featuring 10,000 athletes from the 41 members of the Pan American Sports Organization, will take place from July 10 to 26 in cities across southern Ontario. The Para-Pan Am games will take place from August 7 to 14.