York hosts Ontario Summer Games

York University played host to three sporting events as part of the 2012 Ontario Summer Games. The games, which officially opened Thursday, continued throughout the weekend at venues across the city of Toronto.

The games brought together some 2,500 athletes who competed in 28 sports at multiple venues across Toronto and surrounding regions. They were supported by 368 coaches, 113 managers, 281 officials, 21 provincial sport organization representatives, more than 1,000 volunteers and thousands of spectators.

“Thirty-four students, alumni and faculty from the School of Kinesiology and Health Science and the Athletic Therapy Certificate Program were part of the volunteers who are giving their time to provide medical coverage to the athletes Frances Flintduring the games at various venues across the Toronto area,” said Frances Flint, professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science in York’s Faculty of Health.

Frances Flint

York University’s Keele campus played host to the basketball, karate and rugby competitions and was a temporary home for many of the athletes in the campus residence buildings.

The basketball competition was held over three days at the Tait McKenzie Centre, with the championship games taking place on Sunday, Aug. 19. Rugby took place on Friday and Saturday at the playing fields, and karate competitions were on Friday at the Toronto Track & Field Centre.

The opening ceremonies took place Friday at Varsity Centre on the main campus of the University of Toronto.

The Ontario Summer Games began in 1970 as a showcase for amateur sport. The games are Ontario’s largest multi-sport event, including both team and individual sports. Provincial level athletes qualify through a selection process conducted by provincial sport organizations. The multi-sport competition serves as a stepping stone for many young atheltes to national and international competitions.

More information is availabe on the Ontario Summer Games website.