Ontario athletes are getting ready to represent the province at the 2017 Canada Games.
Around 450 athletes, coaches, managers, support staff, technicians and mission staff have travelled from all across Ontario to represent the province in Winnipeg. This is the 50th installment of the games and they will run from July 28th until August 13th. The Ontario government says competing allows Ontario’s athletes to gain experience performing against elite competition, which they will need when they compete on the world stage. There will be more than 4,000 athletes from all the provinces and territories competing in 16 sports during the games.
The Ontario Government say 105 athletes competing at the game have received Quest for Gold funding. Quest for Gold is an Ontario government initiative that provides direct funding to athletes to subsidize; living, training, sports equipment, coaching and travel to competitions. For 2016-2017 Quest for Gold athletes will receive $6.36 million dollars in direct funding.
Ontario last won the Canada Games in 2015 with 213 medals total.