A Successful VIII Games of La Francophonie wrap up in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

The Government of Canada congratulates the Canadian athletes and artists who participated in the VIII Games of La Francophonie

ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire, July 30, 2017 /CNW/ - Stéphane Lauzon, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities and Member of Parliament for Argenteuil–La Petite-Nation, attended the closing ceremony last night, which marked the end of ten days of adventure in Côte d'Ivoire for thousands of young athletes and artists.

Mr. Lauzon accompanied and encouraged Team Canada throughout the Games. He attended the closing ceremony as the head of Team Canada's delegation and on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, and the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities.

The Canadian delegation in Abidjan won a total of 62 medals. Team Canada won a total of 13 gold medals, 8 silver medals and 15 bronze medals; Team Canada–Quebec collected a total of 5 gold medals, 8 silver medals and 8 bronze medals; and Team Canada–New Brunswick received a total of one gold medal, 2 silver medals and 2 bronze medals.

The Government of Canada congratulates the three teams for all their efforts and for their success in the VIII Games of La Francophonie.

In 2021, this major event for young Francophones will be returning to Canada, where the Government of New Brunswick will host the IX Games of La Francophonie.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud of the performance of our Canadian athletes and artists in these Games. Our athletes have proudly upheld Canada's reputation for artistic, cultural and sporting excellence. I look forward to seeing the big family of the international Francophonie meet again in four years, on home turf this time, in New Brunswick, to participate in these unique Games."

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"The Games of La Francophonie, which wrapped up yesterday, have once again demonstrated that sport, art and culture bring together not only the people within each country, but also people between different countries. I am convinced that these Games, like those in the past, will serve as a springboard for participating athletes, allowing them to reach even greater heights."

—The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

"As a founding member of the International Organisation of La Francophonie, Canada is proud to have supported the VIII Games of La Francophonie in Abidjan. This event has allowed us to promote our shared values of inclusion and openness—especially respect for human rights and gender equality—and to celebrate the cultural diversity of athletes who have given the very best of themselves. Congratulations to each and every one of you."

—The Honourable Marie‑Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

"As the head of Team Canada's delegation to the VIII Games of La Francophonie, I am proud of the team's performance during these last ten days of competition filled with emotion, courage and pride. I consider myself privileged to have witnessed the participants' desire to excel, and to have helped Team Canada become successful in the Games. I would like to thank the Government of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire for its warm welcome during these Games."

—Stéphane Lauzon, head of Team Canada's delegation to the VIII Games of La Francophonie, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities, and Member of Parliament for Argenteuil–La Petite-Nation

Quick Facts

The Games of La Francophonie, created in 1987 at the Francophonie Summit in Québec City, is for members and observers of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) and is held every four years under the theme of Solidarity, Excellence and Diversity.

The 84 states and governments of the IOF include Canada and the provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec, as participating governments, and recently the Province of Ontario, as an observing government.

Since the first Games of La Francophonie in 1989, Canada has sent a delegation consisting of three teams: Canada, Canada–New-Brunswick and Canada–Quebec. On behalf of the Government of Canada, the Department of Canadian Heritage is responsible for organizing and coordinating all activities related to the participation and coaching of athletes and artists who represent Team Canada.

Team Canada has nearly 170 members participating in the Abidjan Games, and includes athletes, artists, coaches, the medical team and the mission staff.

The first Games were held in Morocco in 1989. Since then, the Games have been held in France in 1994, Madagascar in 1997, Canada in 2001, Niger in 2005, Lebanon in 2009, and once again in France, in Nice, in 2013. After the Games in Abidjan, the next Games will be held in 2021 in the cities of Moncton and Dieppe in New Brunswick.

Associated Links

Canada.ca – Games of La Francophonie
Canada Council for the Arts – Games of La Francophonie
Comité international des Jeux de la Francophonie (CIJF)
Comité national des Jeux de la Francophonie (CNJF)
International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF)

 

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

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