7 photos from the Pan Am athletes’ village welcome ceremony
On Wednesday, July 8 the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games officially welcomed Team Canada to the athletes’ village.
The official Opening Ceremony takes place on Friday, July 10 that will have the full parade of nations before the Games’ competition begins in earnest the next day. Here are seven photos from the day and the official flag raising video at athletes’ village.
Team Canada athletes with coaches, staff and chef de missions arrive at the athletes’ village for Toronto 2015 Pan American Games (Photo: Alexandra Fernando).
Team Canada comprises of 719 athletes (as of July 9) participating in 48 sports/disciplines from July 10 to 26, although some preliminary competition started three days earlier.
Team Canada flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony Mark Oldershaw at the athletes’ village opening for Toronto 2015 Pan American Games (Photo: Alexandra Fernando).
Mark Oldershaw – a third generation Olympian – will be Canada’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony on July 10.
Women’s rugby stars Jennifer Kish and Ashley Steacy – who have already qualified for Rio 2016 – at the athletes’ village opening for Toronto 2015 Pan American Games (Photo: Alexandra Fernando).
Two of Canada’s top women’s rugby players, Jen Kish and Ashley Steacy, get set for the Games. Rugby will be at Exhibition Stadium on July 11 to 12 (get tickets).
Kayaker Pierre-Luc Poulin tests out the Twitter mirror at the athletes’ village welcome for TO 2015 Pan American Games (Photo: Alexandra Fernando).
Pierre-Luc Poulin among the canoe/kayak athletes who will see action in Welland, Ontario as the Games make their way around the province (get canoe/kayak tickets).
Members of the women’s field hockey team at the athletes’ village opening for Toronto 2015 Pan American Games (Photo: Alexandra Fernando).
Field hockey at TO2015 has Olympic implications with the men’s and women’s winners automatically heading to Rio 2016. The matches take place at University of Toronto’s Pan Am Fields from July 13 to 25 (get tickets).
Rugby star Phil Mack turns the tables on photographer Alexandra Fernando at the TO2015 athletes’ village welcoming (Photo: Alexandra Fernando).
Men’s rugby star Phil Mack is a First Nation athlete on Team Canada. Mack was on the IRB World Series ‘Dream Team,’ as was teammate John Moonlight after the 2013-14 sevens season.
Team Canada gathers at the athletes’ village welcoming with TO2015 mascot Pachi (Photo: Alexandra Fernando).
Canada has the largest team at TO2015, which is also the biggest multi-sport competition ever to take place on Canadian soil – bigger in size than any of the three Olympic Games hosted by the country.
