Athletes in under 16 and under 18 categories set to compete
OTTAWA, Aug. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - Colourful opening ceremonies this evening will officially mark the beginning of several days of intense competition which started today at the 2017 Royal Canadian Legion's National Youth Track and Field Championships in Brandon, Manitoba.
From August 11-13, over 650 athletes from across Canada will compete in the under 16 and under 18 categories.
"We know athletes from this competition will go on to join Canada's national track and field team and some will become Olympians," says Danny Martin, Games Administrator and Deputy Director of Administration at the Legion. "These are Canada's young stars!"
This is the 41st year for the event organized by the Legion. The competition grew from Legionnaires' support and promotion of youth sports as a way to help children whose fathers or mothers were serving in the Armed Forces abroad. The Legion later developed local, provincial and national youth athletic programs, which culminate in the games.
"This is the only competition of its kind in Canada and we're proud to host it alongside the city of Brandon," says Angus Stanfield, Sports Committee Chairman and Dominion Vice President at the Legion. "The theme this year is the Remembrance of Veterans who served at Vimy Ridge one hundred years ago. We will keep them in our hearts and minds as our nation's youth strive for athletic excellence."
Stanfield's own grandfather served as a piper with the Cameron (Winnipeg) Highlanders Regiment during the First World War and fought at Vimy Ridge. Stanfield will play the 102-year-old pipes at the competition's closing ceremonies on August 14.
Results from August 11-13:
Follow daily: http://athleticsmanitoba.com/events/RealTimeResults/Legions/
Watch on Facebook live: https://www.facebook.com/LegionNationals
About The Royal Canadian Legion
Founded in 1925, the Legion is Canada's largest Veteran support and community service organization. We are a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada as well as branches in the U.S., Europe and Mexico. With more than 275,000 members, many of whom volunteer an extraordinary amount of time to their branches, our strength is in our numbers.
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SOURCE The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command
Nujma Bond, (343) 540-7604
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