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We did it! Thank you to all the sport tourism stakeholders and partners who played a part in helping us host a successful Ontario Parasport Games in February!
Whether you were a host hotel providing participants with a place to lay their heads at the end of a long journey or after a day of competition, a local restaurant or caterer keeping athletes fueled with healthy meals, a sport venue operator providing superior field of play conditions, a coffee shop serving up hot drinks to athletes and fans, one of nearly 60 Games partners whose support helped us to deliver the best Games yet, one of our over 200 Games volunteers or a cheering fan, we cannot thank you enough!
Over the Games weekend, we welcomed nearly 500 participants, of which about 300 were athletes, as well as visiting family and friends. We hosted an opening night dinner, a spectacular opening ceremony, 11 sport competitions and four sport demonstration and try-it sessions.
But we didn’t stop there. We launched partnerships that grew awareness and support for accessibility, inclusion, and parasport in our community:
- AccessNow mapping of our Games venues and all municipal facilities.
- A pilot training program for accessible sport athletes.
- Sensory support kits at our libraries and Games venues.
- A pilot program to add more adaptive sport and recreational opportunities at Durham College and Ontario Tech University.
- An inclusive Athlete’s Lounge where participants gathered between competitions.
- Collection of donations in support of Feed the Need in Durham.
We’re so proud of how our community came together to host these Games for a second time. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners on legacy initiatives that will continue to grow awareness and support for accessibility, inclusion, and parasport in our community for years to come.
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