Canada leads Pan Am Games medal standings

gopher

Hall of Fame Member
Jun 26, 2005
21,513
66
48
Minnesota: Gopher State
As I think about it, would be nice if there was a winter version of the Pan Am games.

Of course, it would not be as expansive as winter Olympics as most Latin American nations do not play ice hockey (so far as I know, only Brazil & Argentina do). But there is skiing (XC, slopes, biathlon), ice skating (figures & dancing), snow boarding, and some inline skating.

Frankly, I am puzzled as to why there are so few Latin American teams in the winter Olympics as a large segment of the people living in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are of German, Italian, and Central European ancestry. But perhaps unified teams can be assembled in some sports such as in cricket where the West Indian islands comprise one team for test series. Should be fun ...
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
38,819
3,558
113
Cabbie comes through for Pan Am Games athlete
By Chris Doucette, Toronto Sun First posted: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 08:33 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 08:38 PM EDT
TORONTO - A Toronto cabbie wins gold in honesty after going the extra mile to return a lost wallet to a Cuban athlete competing at the Pan Am Games.

Toronto Police say the taxi driver picked up a woman at the Gerrard Square Walmart over the noon-hour Wednesday and the fare turned out to be Dailenys Alcantara Pacheco.

The 23-year-old triple-jumper was dropped off at the Athletes Village, near the city’s waterfront, and soon after realized she had left her wallet behind in the cab, police said.

Pacheco was “visibly upset” when she approached a nearby officer and, with help from an interpreter, explained her situation. But the only description she was able to provide was that it was a “silver taxi.”

Moments later, veteran cabbie John Strickland saved the distraught woman’s day by heading back to the Athletes Village to return her wallet containing her identification and cash.

“Mr. Strickland deserves a gold medal for his honesty,” said Det.-Sgt. Ian McArthur, one of the investigating officers. “He is a true ambassador of our city.”

Strickland is an independent taxi driver who has been a cabbie in Toronto for more than 35 years, police said.

And, they added, if he had not returned, the possibility of identifying the cab and recovering Pacheco’s wallet would have been “very unlikely.”

chris.doucette@sunmedia.ca
Cuban triple-jumper Dailenys Alcantara Pacheco, 23, poses for a photo with veteran Toronto cabbie John Strickland moments after he returned to the Pan Am Games Athletes Village with the wallet she accidentally left in his taxi Wednesday, July 22, 2015. (PHOTO COURTESY OF TORONTO POLICE)

Cabbie comes through for Pan Am Games athlete | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto S
 

Ludlow

Hall of Fame Member
Jun 7, 2014
13,588
0
36
wherever i sit down my ars
Cabbie comes through for Pan Am Games athlete
By Chris Doucette, Toronto Sun First posted: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 08:33 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 08:38 PM EDT
TORONTO - A Toronto cabbie wins gold in honesty after going the extra mile to return a lost wallet to a Cuban athlete competing at the Pan Am Games.

Toronto Police say the taxi driver picked up a woman at the Gerrard Square Walmart over the noon-hour Wednesday and the fare turned out to be Dailenys Alcantara Pacheco.

The 23-year-old triple-jumper was dropped off at the Athletes Village, near the city’s waterfront, and soon after realized she had left her wallet behind in the cab, police said.

Pacheco was “visibly upset” when she approached a nearby officer and, with help from an interpreter, explained her situation. But the only description she was able to provide was that it was a “silver taxi.”

Moments later, veteran cabbie John Strickland saved the distraught woman’s day by heading back to the Athletes Village to return her wallet containing her identification and cash.

“Mr. Strickland deserves a gold medal for his honesty,” said Det.-Sgt. Ian McArthur, one of the investigating officers. “He is a true ambassador of our city.”

Strickland is an independent taxi driver who has been a cabbie in Toronto for more than 35 years, police said.

And, they added, if he had not returned, the possibility of identifying the cab and recovering Pacheco’s wallet would have been “very unlikely.”

chris.doucette@sunmedia.ca
Cuban triple-jumper Dailenys Alcantara Pacheco, 23, poses for a photo with veteran Toronto cabbie John Strickland moments after he returned to the Pan Am Games Athletes Village with the wallet she accidentally left in his taxi Wednesday, July 22, 2015. (PHOTO COURTESY OF TORONTO POLICE)

Cabbie comes through for Pan Am Games athlete | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto S
Thank you for some sanity and a positive story.
 

Mowich

Hall of Fame Member
Dec 25, 2005
16,649
998
113
76
Eagle Creek
Friday Jul. 24, 2015 15:15 ET

Pan Am Games athletes make for joyous stories

I have been blessed to meet some amazing people



From left to right, Canadian boxers Elmais Samir, Ariane Fortin and Kenny Lally are some of the most approachable athletes you'll ever meet.

If I take away one thing, and one thing only, from the opportunity to cover the Pan Am Games for CBCSports.ca, it is the delight I feel from giving amateur athletes their moment in the spotlight.

When I ask them for an interview, their eyes light up. As a guy who covers professional hockey for a living, I am used to seeing players roll their eyes when I ask if they have a moment to speak.

To be clear, not all hockey players do that. It has been said hockey players, among professional athletes, are the most accommodating.

Jarome Iginla, Adam Graves and Chris Pronger are some of the most amazing people I have ever met.

But times have changed and not for the better. We, the media, are more invasive and they, the athletes, are more standoffish.

For the past few weeks, though, I have been blessed to meet some amazing people who are as dedicated to their sport as any professional is to theirs.

When Jimmy Brown crashed during his race in BMX, he dusted himself off, scooped up his bike and walked the remainder of the course much to the delight of the fans who cheered his every step. Then he stepped into the mixed zone and cheerily met with the media.

"It happens," Brown said of his untimely spill.

All the hard work he put into preparing for the Pan Am Games was dashed in a heartbeat and yet there Brown was with a smile on his face.

It has been a pleasure to interview hard-working, dedicated athletes who mostly exist in anonymity. It gives me a thrill to think I am bringing a little joy to their lives when the reality is they are bringing joy to my life.


Family and friends

Often, amateur athletes perform before small crowds of mostly family and friends. To compete in the Pan Am Games in Canada before large, enthusiastic crowds is a dream come true for them - and not just the winners.

On Tuesday night in Oshawa, Ont., I covered a fight between Canadian Kenny Lally and Andy Cruz of Cuba.

Lally is the last Canadian to defeat a Cuban in 2010, but against Cruz he was clearly outmatched. He lost by a unanimous decision, but following his defeat he met with the media and was absolutely gracious.

In animated fashion, he demonstrated how the Cuban jabbed him into submission.

"He jabbed me, pop, pop, BAM! Pop, pop, BAM!," Lally said with a huge smile.

Lally's dreams of a Pan Am gold medal were dashed, but there he was, only too pleased to talk about his loss.

I always say my job does not define me. And yet, to many, I am nothing but an old hockey writer. In fact, when I began tweeting during my Pan Am assignment, I lost a few hundred Twitter followers in the first two days because all they expect from me is hockey talk.

Oh well.

On Thursday I covered men's field hockey and after Canada defeated Brazil 5-3 in penalty shots following a scoreless 60 minutes of regulation play, I had the pleasure of speaking to Canadian captain Scott Tupper.

He looked at my accreditation, looked up to my face and said, "Hey, I know you."

Tupper seemed momentarily pleased to be speaking with me.

I only hope he knows what a thrill it was for me to speak with him.

Mike Brophy: Amateur athletes are a joy to cover - 2015 Pan Am - CBC Sports



Last time I checked, Canada had 72 Gold, 63 Silver and 59 Bronze for a total of 194.




 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
38,819
3,558
113
Brazilian water polo player wanted on sex rap
By Chris Doucette, Toronto Sun
First posted: Friday, July 24, 2015 08:41 AM EDT | Updated: Friday, July 24, 2015 09:41 PM EDT
Thye Mattos Ventura Bezerra left Toronto last week a Pan Am Games silver medalist.
If he ever shows up here again, it will be to face a sex assault rap.
The alleged attack occurred July 16, just hours after Bezerra and his Brazilian water polo team received their medals.
A female acquaintance invited Bezerra and a teammate to a downtown apartment. Police say the 22-year-old victim was at the residence when her friend and the two players arrived.
“The victim went to sleep. (The accused) then entered the victim’s bedroom and sexually assaulted her,” Insp. Joanna Beaven-Desjardins told a throng of local and international media gathered at headquarters for a news conference.
She said the two water polo players then left the apartment and flew back to Brazil with the rest of their team later that day.
By the time the woman came forward and investigators identified their suspect, Bezerra was long gone.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the team has since travelled to Russia to compete in another tournament.
Beaven-Desjardins said cops have been talking to the Crown and “working to open lines of communication” with Brazilian authorities in the hopes of having Bezerra returned to the city to face the charge.
But with no extradition treaty between Canada and Brazil, the investigation may depend on Bezerra returning to Canada voluntarily.
Meanwhile, police are offering the woman any assistance she may need.
“It takes great courage and strength to come forward and report these types of things,” Beaven-Desjardins said. “This has been a personal violation that has now been made public and very high profile, so it’s important for us to create a network of support around her.”
She said investigators want to know if any other women may have had inappropriate encounters with Bezerra during the Pan Am Games.
“There could be other victims,” Beaven-Desjardins said. “He spent two weeks in Toronto.”
Bezerra, 27, was in the city from July 3 to 16 playing water polo in Markham while residing in the Athletes’ Village downtown.
“We encourage all affected individuals to come forward and report to police as we want to make sure that everyone has access to support services regardless of their decision to report and proceed criminally,” Beaven-Desjardins said.
Anyone with information is urged to call the sex crimes unit at 416-808-7474 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
chris.doucette@sunmedia.ca
Brazilian water polo player wanted on sex rap | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto S
 

Mowich

Hall of Fame Member
Dec 25, 2005
16,649
998
113
76
Eagle Creek
I am really happy for Toronto, indeed for the entire country that these games came off so well. Going into them there was some doubt about ticket sales which were lagging but it appears that the competitions were for the most part well-attended. However, now there is talk about Toronto hosting an Olympic Games and that is an entirely different kettle of fish.

Though once they were underway, I got into the spirit of the Games, when Vancouver first announced they were going to bid for them, I was completely against the idea - too much money that the province simply didn't have to spend, I felt. After the utterly ridiculous cost of the Sochi Olympics, I am even more against any Canadian city hosting them. As much as I enjoy and support the Olympics, it is high time countries got together and discussed the possibility of choosing a permanent site for both the summer and winter games.

Back to the Pam Ams, at one point in the Men's Basketball game our Canadians were down by 25 points to Brazil but they are showing their metal and the crowd is going crazy - they got the deficit down to 7 before Brazil came storming back to lead by 11 with lots of time left. Go, Canada, Go.
 

Mowich

Hall of Fame Member
Dec 25, 2005
16,649
998
113
76
Eagle Creek
Canada sets new national record for Pan Am medals



Jasmin Glaesser's gold medal gave Canada 196 medals in the Pan Ams, and her teammate Allison Beveridge help the host nation set a new Canadian record 197, eclipsing the record set in Winnipeg in 1999. Alexis Espejo/CBC Sports


The Toronto Pan Am Games are Canada's most successful Games in the history of the event.

Cyclists Jasmin Glaesser and Allison Beveridge won a gold and bronze, respectively, in the women's road race on Saturday afternoon, giving Canada medals number 196 and 197.

The 197th medal set a new Canadian record for performance at the Pan Am Games, eclipsing the previous record set at the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg.

"This is an outstanding achievement and reflects the hard work of our athletes, coaches and National Sport Federations," Canadian Olympic Committee head Marcel Aubut said in a statement ."Congratulations to Team Canada – you have made your country so proud and have inspired future generations of Canadian athletes."

Canada's 74 gold medals is a national record, smashing the previous best of 64, which was also set in Winnipeg.

The Americans top this year's medal chart.

Canada sets new national record for Pan Am medals - 2015 Pan Am - CBC Sports


Rock on Canada. :canada:





 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
38,819
3,558
113
Disqualification shouldn't take shine of De Grasse
By Rob Longley, Toronto Sun
First posted: Saturday, July 25, 2015 11:30 PM EDT | Updated: Saturday, July 25, 2015 11:36 PM EDT
Through his seven races in five days and the two gold medals he won, Andre De Grasse became more than just the emerging force of Canadian track and field.
He learned a little bit about himself and what awaits over the next 12 months and beyond.
And on Saturday night, he learned a little of the politics of the sport as the third Pan Am Games gold medal he thought he had in his hands was stripped away as the men’s 4x100-metre relay team was disqualified.
De Grasse had another stirring run as the track competition wound up at York University, running the second leg in what had appeared to be Canada’s victorious relay. It was going to be a nice cherry on the top of a breakthrough games for the 20-year-old phenom from Markham.
Instead, it came with a gutting defeat. A three-pronged protest from the U.S., Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil was successful as Gavin Smellie, who ran the first leg for Canada, drifted out of his lane in the opening strides.
It was a familiar story for the Canadian men relay sprinters, who lost an Olympic medal in London in 2012.
While the drama may have taken away from the De Grasse extravaganza — and his medal count — it didn’t diminish the shine of a brilliant performance before sellout crowds at the new York U stadium.
Exhausted as he was in his first major international performance, De Grasse showed that he can handle the pressure just fine. His body, meanwhile got an indoctrination into the rigours of moving up from being a star in U.S. college meets to a contender on the world stage.
“It took a lot out of me,” De Grasse acknowledged when asked about a marathon week of sprinting. “I’m going to go back and rest for two or three days and then get ready for the world championships in Beijing.
“It’s different than the NCAAs. It’s been a long season. I’m not used to running that much, but as my coach told me, this is how it’s going to feel when you run in the Olympics next year, so get used to it now.
“I feel like my body is adjusting to it, so I’m going to be ready for next year.”
He has given every indication that he will do just that, with a heap of maturity mixed in as well. De Grasse is justifiably proud of his efforts here, but he knows that the competition will get tougher. It’s one leap forward to go from NCAA champion to Pan Am Games gold medallist — but quite another to line up against a superstar such as Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, which if his progress continues, could happen.
“I feel like for them they might not think this is a big games because it’s the Pan Am Games,” De Grasse said of what the big names of the sport might think of his Canadian coming out party. “Until you prove at the world championships ... I think I have to go there and still make a name for myself.
“I feel as though I have accomplished so much here, to other people it might not be that impressive. I’ve got to go out there to the world championship and try to make the final and get a medal there.”
De Grasse clearly got a thrill out of what he thought was going to be his third gold after taking the baton from Smellie, handing it to Brendan Rodney and then watching his University of Southern California teammate Aaron Brown kick it home.
The lengthy protest and ultimate DQ was a downer to end a successful Pan Am run for Athletics Canada — with 26 medals, 11 of them gold — but one the team was attempting to take in stride.
“You step on the line, you step on the line,” Athletics Canada head coach Peter Eriksson said. “However, it happens many times and people get away with it.
“This happens all the time. It’s part of the game.”
DROUIN SOARS TO GOLD
With the gold medal secured and his confidence (as well as his body) soaring, Derek Drouin decided to put on a show for another sellout crowd at York University on Saturday night.
The Pan Am Games title is just another step for Drouin on the road to Brazil next summer, where he hopes to improve on the bronze medal he won at the 2012 London Olympics.
Drouin cleared a season-best 2.37 metres and shared the podium with Canadian teammate Mike Mason, whose 2.31 metres earned him silver. But after the result was clinched and he was the lone competitor remaining, Drouin tried — and failed — to clear 2.41 as the crowd enthusiastically urged him on.
“My last two meets were season-bests also,” said Drouin, of Corunna, Ont. “I was carrying in some confidence. I knew being in Toronto and being in front of a big crowd like this, it was going to be a great opportunity to jump high.
“I wanted to keep improving on what I have done the last few meets and I’m doing that. I really feel like I’m shaping up and being in the exact right spot I want to be a month out from the worlds.”
Besides winning a big meet at home, Drouin wanted to make sure he was on form after a slow start to his season. The world championships in Beijing will be the focus of his season.
“This was a big stepping stone,” Drouin said. “I had to trust I was going to improve as (the season) went on and that’s what’s been happening. (Saturday) was a real confidence boost for me.”
Canada’s Andre De Grasse celebrates after winning the 4x100 metre relay. The team was later disqualified for a lane violation. (STAN BEHAL/Toronto Sun)

Disqualification shouldn't take shine of De Grasse | Other Sports | Sports | Tor

Toronto's 'Officer Boogie' strikes again
NICK WESTOLL, Toronto Sun
First posted: Saturday, July 25, 2015 11:55 AM EDT | Updated: Saturday, July 25, 2015 02:31 PM EDT
A Toronto Police officer was caught on camera displaying some fancy footwork in front of City Hall.
A video is going viral of Const. Milton Ferguson breaking out in dance at a Pan Am Games celebration event in Nathan Phillips Square recently.
This isn't the first time Ferguson, who goes by @officerboogie on Twitter, has been caught moving to the beat on video. He can be seen on YouTube busting a move to the song "Jump and Wave" at the Beaches Jazz Festival in 2014 as well as dancing at the Taste of the Danforth.

Toronto's 'Officer Boogie' strikes again | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun

Love on a roll at the Parapan Am Games
By Mike Strobel, Toronto Sun
First posted: Saturday, July 25, 2015 06:42 PM EDT | Updated: Saturday, July 25, 2015 07:01 PM EDT
TORONTO -
Adam Lancia and Jamey Jewells are two of our brightest Parapan Am stars.
Better yet, they are head over wheels in love.
“I mean, look at her,” says Adam. “Your readers will see Jamey’s photo and know how beautiful she is.”
“He’s my rock,” says Jamey.
With luck, their daughter Lennyn will get to see them medal at Toronto 2015. That’s if the games don’t go past her bedtime.
Lennyn is two.
“We’re trying to keep life as normal as possible for her,” says Jamey, 25, point guard on Canada’s women’s wheelchair basketball team.
Our women are world champs and favoured for gold in Toronto.
Adam, 35, Jamey’s husband, is a veteran power forward for the national men, also expected to medal next month.
Both teams will set up base at Brock University this week to fine-tune their games. The women need a top-four finish to qualify for the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro next year. The men need top-two.
The Americans and Mexicans, in particular, stand in their way.
Well, not so much stand, as roll.
Likely, you have never seen elite wheelchair basketball. It is not for the meek. Those are not La-Z-Boys on wheels, but $3,000 speed machines straight out of Mad Max.
Players ask no mercy and give none. Why should they? Life has already delivered them a low blow — and they have overcome it with a counterpunch.
In 2003, Jamey Jewells was already a point guard — but with two sturdy legs. She starred for Donkin Junior High in Cape Breton.
In fact, she was off to practice when the car she was in lost a tire and rolled. Now, Jamey is a 1.0, the most disabled grade of wheelchair basketballer, the least mobile.
Adam was born without lower legs but gets around fine with prosthetics, off the court. He’s a 4.0. (A team can have no more than 14 points on the floor at one time.)
“Tough breaks,” I hear you say. So it might surprise you that Jamey says otherwise.
“I feel pretty blessed,” she tells me.
“Twelve years ago, when I broke my back, mostly I was just concerned about staying alive.”
She spent 22 months in hospital. What does not kill you can make you a champion.
“My outlook on life — and some people would say it’s insane — was, alright, next chapter, let’s get on with it.”
Lo and behold, the next chapter included her prince. They met in Saskatoon, of all the romantic places.
Adam was winning MVP honours at the 2010 national championships and Jamey was with her own team on the sidelines and thinking, “Who is that guy? He’s really cute, but where are his feet?”
So she started cheering.
“What’s with that accent?” Adam wondered, while banking in a shot from the low post.
One thing led to another, led to a memorable date at a pub in Germany, led to a seaside wedding near Donkin — “she’s unlike anyone I’ve ever come across,” Adam told me back then — led to Lennyn. More or less in that order.
Woven through it all, wheelchair basketball.
“She’s a cunning player,” Adam says of his wife. “She has to rely less on the physical stuff than I do, but she’s by far the smarter player. And she’s hypercompetitive.
His admiration is palpable.
“She’s had to deal with things I never did. She acquired her disability. I was born with mine.”
Until after the Rio Games — touch wood — they’ll rent in Scarborough, close to training sites like Variety Village, and to Adam’s folks. Likely, they’ll return to Nova Scotia draped in assorted medals. If not, well, what does it really matter?
“There’s a lot of love there,” men’s coach Steve Bialowas tells me. “When Lennyn is around, especially, you can really feel it. They’re not just two of the world’s best wheelchair basketball players, they’re wonderful parents and outstanding role models.”
This week, they’ll hardly talk, each focused on his or her team. “We’re lucky that way,” says Adam, “because we’re both athletes and we understand how it works.
“Our relationship will take on an independent, fluid dynamic. Spending time together gets tricky to say the least.
“But we know it’s all good. We’re rock solid.”
Remarkably so, for a couple with not one functional leg between them.
The Parapan Am tournament opens Aug. 8 at the Ryerson Athletic Centre, the men against Venezuela, the women versus Guatemala.
Uh-oh, Lennyn, they’re night games.
I hope you can stay up.
Strobel’s column usually runs Monday to Thursday. Hear him at 94.9 The Rock FM, Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
mike.strobel@sunmedia.ca
Adam Lancia, left, and Jamey Jewells. (Supplied photos)

Love on a roll at the Parapan Am Games | STROBEL | Toronto & GTA | News | Toront
 

Mowich

Hall of Fame Member
Dec 25, 2005
16,649
998
113
76
Eagle Creek
Pan Am Games showed ‘our Canadian hearts are big’

Thank you. Thank you for a truly great start.

Because, Canada, you delivered. More than one million of you came out to the Pan Am Games to cheer for the athletes at the top of your lungs. And thousands upon thousands of you celebrated this region at our arts and culture festival.

You lifted us up with your energy and your enthusiasm. The pride you displayed — for your athletes, for your communities and for this great country we call home — was awe-inspiring. You reminded the Americas and the Caribbean what we have all known to betrue for generations — that our Canadian hearts are big.

And you showed the world just how fiercely you believe in the possibility of these Games and the legacies and memories they have created for our families, our region and our young people.

During my time as chief executive officer of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015), I have often repeated a quote from Nelson Mandela where he said, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.” Today, after these Games, I believe it more than ever.

Over the past two weeks, we have had the chance to watch more than 6,000 of the best athletes the Pan Am region has to offer. They demonstrated strength, courage and perseverance in ways few of us could have ever imagined. In their victories, they taught us about humility. And in their defeats, they showed us grace. Most importantly, they reminded all of us just how important it is to try.

Our region dreams big. We do ambitious and difficult things and we do them well. These Games were no small undertaking — they were made possible through the support of the federal and provincial governments, 16 municipalities, more than 80 corporate sponsors and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, our official Host First Nation. They required coordination on a scale that had never before been attempted. So we are truly grateful that all of our partners shared the bold vision for what these Pan Am Games could be.

We are also beyond grateful for the more than 60,000 people who applied to volunteer with us. Our volunteers were, without question, the heart of the Games. The 23,000-plus men and women in orange shirts — you may have seen them riding the subway at early hours to get to a shift at the Aquatics Centre or taking the bus home from the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletes’ Village late at night — were nothing short of amazing.

Our volunteers gave us so much more than their time. They reminded us what kind of society we want to be — that is, one where people go above and beyond to build something big for the benefit of others. We are lucky to have every single one of them on our team, and we are honoured so many of them will come back to help ensure the Parapan Am Games will be an unparalleled success.
In 11 days, Toronto is set to kick off the largest Parapan Am Games in history. They will be televised for the first time ever and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will air live on CBC.

It’s unprecedented. And it’s an opportunity for Canadians to cheer even louder than they have for the past two weeks. The athletes who will be competing are some of the best in the world. And every gold medal earns a spot in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. If you’ve never seen Parapan Am sports live, you will be blown away by the athletes and their unbelievable talents, abilities and performances. History will be made and records will be broken.

So catch your breath. Rest up. There’s more amazing art, culture and sport to come.

Saad Rafi is CEO of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015).

Well done Canada. A huge thank you to all the athletes who participated in these games and most of all congratulations to our Canadian athletes. :canada:





 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
38,819
3,558
113
Pan Am officials spend $10Gs on car washes
By Shawn Jeffords, Toronto Sun First posted: Monday, July 27, 2015 06:18 PM EDT | Updated: Monday, July 27, 2015 08:09 PM EDT
Critics call it cash washed down the drain.
Pan Am Games officials have confirmed they spent nearly $10,000 in the months leading up to the event having a fleet of 1,200 vehicles washed and detailed.
Canadian Taxpayers Federation Ontario director Christine Van Geyn accused games officials Monday of pouring money “down the drain.
“This is an example of pure absolute waste,” she said. “There is nothing achieved by keeping these cars sparkling clean, unused, in a parking lot.”
Van Geyn insisted the car washes are just the one example of “wasteful spending” in the games’ $2.5-billion budget. Ontario’s auditor general should conduct a “full and comprehensive review” of the spending, she said.
“We think it would be appropriate for her to do a special report on the Pan Am Games given that they have had a history of spending problems and given that there’s been a lot of coverage of examples of waste,” she said.
The disclosure comes after the Canadian Taxpayers Federation obtained documents through a freedom of information request. The documents show the car wash money was spent at Imperial Oil and Big Wax between June 2013 and May 2015 — two months before the games kicked off.
TO2015 spokesman Kevin Dove couldn’t say how much has been spent keeping vehicles clean since the games began.
“I can tell you that TO2015 takes our obligation to taxpayers extremely seriously,” Dove said in an e-mail to the Toronto Sun.
Dove said Chevrolet Canada provided the fleet as part of a sponsorship agreement. Games officials are responsible for maintaining the cars, vans and trucks, he said.
“This includes car washes, interior cleaning and other preventative maintenance, including oil changes,” Dove said. “The value of Chevrolet’s assistance in this regard has saved us — and taxpayers — a considerable sum. It is our responsibility to maintain that investment by keeping the vehicles clean and in good working order.”
But Dove confirmed most of the $10,000 was spent on car washes. A wash at Big Wax cost TO2015 $10 and at Esso it cost $14.
shawn.jeffords@sunmedia.ca
Pan Am officials spend $10Gs on car washes | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
 

EagleSmack

Hall of Fame Member
Feb 16, 2005
44,168
96
48
USA
My knickers got seriously twisted by Eagle Sh1t a few weeks back in a thread about the Cold War. I have been posting on forums for a decade and a half and wherever Americans come to post, everything hits rock bottom. That seems to be all that they can muster. Here are another two. No wonder the whole planet hates them. They want to be hated.


Good to know!


lmao@u