Opening Ceremonies Kick off the VIII Games of La Francophonie in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

The Government of Canada wishes our athletes and artists the best of luck at the VIII Games of La Francophonie

ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire, July 21, 2017 /CNW/ - Stéphane Lauzon, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities and Member of Parliament for Argenteuil?La Petite-Nation, will attend the opening ceremonies for the VIII Games of La Francophonie, held in Abidjan from July 21 to 30, 2017.

Mr. Lauzon will be present for the ten days of competition in Côte d'Ivoire. He will attend the ceremony as head of Team Canada's delegation for the Games, 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 Games are a huge event for young Francophones, bringing together thousands of athletes and artists every four years. They are the only major international games to combine sport and cultural competitions in an event that celebrates the French language.

This year, young athletes and artists from three Canadian delegations: Team Canada, Team Canada?New Brunswick and Team Canada?Quebec, will be competing in several sports and cultural events. The Government of Canada wishes the best of luck to all the participants as they prepare to enter the Félix Houphouët-Boigny stadium for the opening ceremonies.

Quotes

"The Games of La Francophonie provide an excellent international platform for young Canadian artists and athletes to showcase their talents. Throughout these games, they will be pushing their limits and displaying the results of many years of practice and training. I wish all of the athletes and performers the best of luck, as they represent us with pride and determination."

?The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"The Games of La Francophonie have the unique ability to unite artists and athletes who share the desire to represent their country in a major international competition and to compete against the best in their disciplines. I am convinced that this competition involving artists and athletes, often from very different backgrounds, will benefit everyone, and will mark a significant step in their careers."

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

"The Games of La Francophonie bring together young people from around the world who share a passion for the French language. Over the next few days, these young people will not only be making their respective countries proud, but will also have the chance to demonstrate their many talents and strengthen the bonds of solidarity that unite them during the various competitions. Enjoy the Games of La Francophonie, and best of luck to you all."

?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 look forward to seeing our young athletes and artists appear among all the delegations present at these Games. I feel privileged to share in the excitement of the Games with them. Good luck, Team Canada; all of Canada is cheering for you!"

?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