CANUSA Games

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The CANUSA Games are an annual contest, primarily for athletes age 18 and under, between the sister cities of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and Flint, Michigan, United States. The Games are the longest-running amateur sports competition in North America. [1] The games are held in alternate locations, with Hamilton, Ontario, hosting in odd-numbered years. [2]

Contents

History

As a result of the Flint Olympian Games held in Flint, Michigan, in July 1957, the Flint officials of the Games wanted a city, of similar size and population, to compete with on a yearly basis. Hamilton was selected, which birthed the "CANUSA" games, whose name was derived from combining the names Canada and United States - CAN/USA.

The Games began in August 1958, and consisted of 200 athletes (from each city) competing in seven different sports. The Games have grown considerably, which is supported by the more than 1,600 athletes from each city competing in 17 different competitive sports, including basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, darts, golf, track and field, swimming and ice hockey. [2] An estimated 25,000 people have participated in the games in their 50 years. [3]

Opening Ceremonies

The Opening Ceremonies of the CANUSA Games are arguably the most highlighted piece of the weekend. One of these highlights is most certainly the running relay which covers the distance between Flint and Hamilton - 245 miles. Departing the night before from the visiting city, relay runners carry the torch over the border, which is one of the longest international runs in all of North America. The torch is run into the venue in which the opening ceremonies are held, which represents the official start of the Games. [4]

To symbolize the relationship between the sister cities, the national anthems (from both nations) are sung by everyone present at the Opening Ceremonies. The Friendship Trophy is also given by the Mayor of the host city to the Mayor of the visiting city as a symbol of friendship and peace. The Games take the true meaning of friendship to task as each year the visiting country's athletes "billet" or reside with their counterparts during the entire weekend beyond competition. It is considered the signature of the Game's existence. [4]

Editions

EditionHostNotes
1957Flint, Michigan, USAThe Flint Olympian Games, a prelude to the first CANUSA Games
1958Flint, Michigan, USAThe first CANUSA Games
1959Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaThe First CANUSA Games held in Hamilton
1960Flint, Michigan, USAThe first Harold Webster Trophy was awarded (Track & Field)
1961Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1962Flint, Michigan, USA
1963Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1964Flint, Michigan, USA
1965Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1966Flint, Michigan, USAThe first Jimmy Thompson Memorial Award Trophy was awarded (swimming)
1967Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1968Flint, Michigan, USAThe first Bernie Arbour Memorial Trophy was awarded (baseball)
1969Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaThe first Ivan Miller Award was awarded (volunteer)
1970Flint, Michigan, USA
1971Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1972Flint, Michigan, USA
1973Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1974Flint, Michigan, USA
1975Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1976Flint, Michigan, USA
1977Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1978Flint, Michigan, USA
1979Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1980Flint, Michigan, USA
1981Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1982Flint, Michigan, USA
1983Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1984Flint, Michigan, USA
1985Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1986Flint, Michigan, USA
1987Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1988Flint, Michigan, USA
1989Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1990Flint, Michigan, USA
1991Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1992Flint, Michigan, USA
1993Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1994Flint, Michigan, USAThe Games' first paid Business Administrator
1995Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1996Flint, Michigan, USAThe first W. Clarence Willson Memorial Trophy was awarded (girls basketball)
1997Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1998Flint, Michigan, USA
1999Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaThe first Marg Brokenshire Memorial Award was given (Hamilton person that "goes the extra mile")
2000Flint, Michigan, USA
2001Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2002Flint, Michigan, USA
2003Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2004Flint, Michigan, USA
2005Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2006Flint, Michigan, USA
2007Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaThe first Bill Sturrup Memorial Trophies were awarded (golf)
2008Flint, Michigan, USA
2009Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2010Flint, Michigan, USA
2011Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaFlint wins its first road Games since 1959
2012Flint, Michigan, USAFlint wins third consecutive Games
2013Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2014Flint, Michigan, USA
2015Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2016Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaHosting duties taken over by Hamilton due to ongoing Flint water crisis. [5]
2017Flint, Michigan, USA
2018Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2019Flint, Michigan, USA
2020cancelledCancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic [6]
2021Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2022Flint, Michigan, USA
2023Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2024Flint, Michigan, USA

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References

  1. Whitwell, Carli. "CANUSA games kick off", The Hamilton Spectator , 2008-08-08. Retrieved on 2008-12-05.
  2. 1 2 "Canusa Games 2007". Archived from the original on 2008-12-16. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  3. Holmes, Kevin. "CANUSA Games celebrate 50 years Archived 2011-05-21 at the Wayback Machine ", ABC12 News, 2007-05-09. Retrieved on 2008-12-05.
  4. 1 2 CANUSA Games History [ permanent dead link ]
  5. "Hamilton will host this year's CANUSA Games | AM900 CHML | Hamilton News". 2016-03-30. Archived from the original on March 30, 2016. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
  6. brittanyn (2020-05-27). "PRESS RELEASE: 2020 CANUSA GAMES CANCELLATION". Crim Fitness Foundation. Retrieved 2020-12-17.