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This year, the 44th Winter Jeux du Quebec took place in Blainville, Rosemère and Sainte-Thérèse from February 27 to March 7. On April 1st, the mayors of the three towns, along with several organizers, gathered at Rosemère's City Hall to thank the thousands of volunteers, athletes, and citizens which helped make this year's games such a success.
Over the course of a week, 2 868 athletes participated in eighteen different disciplines including hockey, alpine skiing, judo, table tennis and synchronized swimming. They were accompanied by 1 434 trainers, officials and missionaries. "It was a beautiful illustration of a successful regional project," said Sylvie Suprenant, mayor of Sainte-Thérèse.
Strength in numbers
A special thanks was given to the 4 266 volunteers who devoted their time and energy to serve and prepare meals for the athletes and trainers, provide transportation, and help the athletes get proper medical care. It is estimated that the work of the volunteers totalled over 40 000 hours during the course of this year's games.
Many local schools and public places also opened their doors for the games and provided much-needed help and support. The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School board, commissions scolaires de la Seigneurie-des Mille-Îles, Collège Lionel-Groulx and Académie Sainte-Thérèse provided space and utilities. "The success of the games lies in the community coming together," stated Blainville mayor, Francois Cantin.
On Sunday April 26, a big party will be held at Parc équestre de Blainville from 2 p.m to 7 p.m. to celebrate the work of volunteers, athletes, and the whole community in the 44th Winter Jeux du Quebec. "These games not only transformed and inspired the athletes and volunteers, but our cities and citizens as well," said Cantin.
On the web
For the first time this year, the Winter Jeux du Quebec were broadcast over the web. The web-cast allowed close to 100 000 people to follow the games with the aid of twenty-one cameras installed in ten different venues. There were viewers from as far as outside of Quebec in places where it doesn't snow at all. "If our web-cast allowed the parents and friends of the athletes to follow their success all over the world, our innovation will rapidly become a necessity for all the games to come," said Hélène Daneault, mayor of Rosemère.
This year's game were also eco-responsible and it is estimated that 70% of recyclable and compos table material was diverted from going to a landfill. This initiative also helped the athletes become more conscious of the environment. "It will now be impossible to organize mass public events in our territories without including the eco aspect. Our games will make history with its eco-responsibility," said Daneault.
To view pictures, highlights and results from this year's games, visit the official website at http://hiver2009.jeuxduquebec.com.
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