September 14, 2017
Premier and Mayor Honour Canada Summer Games Team Manitoba Medallists
The premier of Manitoba and mayor of Winnipeg recognized the athletes who won medals at the 2017 Canada Summer Games by co-hosting a ceremony at the Legislative Building today.
Manitoba athletes won 42 medals at the 2017 Canada Summer Games, a new record for the province with 10 gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze medals. Manitoba received the Centennial Cup as the most improved team from the previous Canada Summer Games in 2013. Manitoba also won the Centennial Cup in 2013 with 35 medals and is now the only jurisdiction to win back-to-back Centennial Cups.
“Team Manitoba athletes who participated in this summer’s Canada Summer Games represented the province with pride and Manitoba will honour all medal-winning athletes by inducting them into the prestigious Order of the Buffalo Hunt,” said Premier Brian Pallister. “Manitoba athletes won more medals at these Canada Summer Games than any of our teams before them and that achievement deserves to be recognized.”
Manitoba’s Order of the Buffalo Hunt was established in 1957. The honour is bestowed by the province on individuals who demonstrate outstanding skills in the areas of leadership, service and community commitment. Other prominent Order of the Buffalo Hunt inductees includes former U.S. President Jimmy Carter (1993), William ‘The Man Called Intrepid’ Stephenson (1985), Desmond Tutu (2004) and Mother Teresa (1982).
“This summer, we were all inspired by the fantastic performance of our athletes who did an amazing job of representing Manitoba,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “It is my pleasure to be able to honour some of those athletes with the City of Winnipeg’s Outstanding Achievement Award Medal.”
The Outstanding Achievement Award Medal is presented, on one occasion only, to recognize Winnipeggers as individuals or members of teams who have won gold (first place) in a national and international athletic or sporting event. Over the years, the medal has been presented to recipients such as Jonathan Toews and Darren Helm for the World Junior Hockey Championships (2007), the Jennifer Jones Team for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts (2008), Chet Pickard for the World Junior Hockey Championships (2009) and the Jeff Stoughton Team for the Tim Horton’s Brier (2011).
The province and city teamed up with the government of Canada, Canada Games Council and private sector partners to host the 50th anniversary of the games at venues in Winnipeg, Gimli and Kenora, Ont. from July 28 to Aug. 13. Competition featured 16 sports, more than 250 events and more than 4,000 athletes and coaches. The Canada Games are the largest multi-sport event for young athletes in the country.
A full list of medal winners and team achievements can be found at: www.manitoba.ca/canadagames2017/medalwinners.html.
- 30 -
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED
Backgrounder
Backgrounder - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2017/09/BG-Canada_Games_OBH-PR.pdf