Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance partner to better compete on the world stage

Richmond, BC -  The Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance announced today a historic memorandum of understanding, detailing a new partnership between the two organizations as they drive Canada’s bidding and hosting strategy for international sport events.

In addition to clarifying the process for communities and sports to bid for international sport events, this memorandum of understanding facilitates the transfer of knowledge from past successful bids and events, which will provide a framework for replicating that success again, reducing the chance of unsuccessful bids or organizational issues in the future.

“In 2010, Canada demonstrated our great skill at hosting the world at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games,” said COC Board Member Charmaine Crooks. “This partnership will strengthen Canada’s ability to successfully compete and, ultimately, host even more major international sport events, putting us at the top of the list of preferred destinations for world-class sport events.”

“This agreement represents a terrific strategic fit for the CSTA by bringing the sport and tourism industries together to position Canada as a preferred host for international sport events,” said CSTA CEO Rick Traer. “By combining efforts, the COC and CSTA will develop a proactive strategy to assist communities and National Sport Federations to identify, bid for and successfully host international sport events.”

“Competing at home, in front of Canadian fans can only help Canadian athletes,” said 2010 Olympian Georgia Simmerling. “That comfort and familiarity of knowing our home turf definitely gives us an edge over the competition and it’s our chance to inspire the next generation of Olympians to follow in our footsteps.”