Games on: Opening ceremony will get Canada Games off to energetic begin in St. John’s

ST. JOHN’S —  If the opening ceremony was any indication, the subsequent 17 days of competitors on the 2025 Canada Games are going to be stuffed with power and pleasure.

Thousands of younger athletes from each Canadian province and territory marched into the sold-out Mary Brown’s Centre to loud cheers, however the loudest had been reserved for the hosts. Team Newfoundland and Labrador had the viewers on their toes, waving flags, and cheering on the high of their voices as athletes entered to the upbeat sounds of Great Big Sea’s Ordinary Day.

Canada Games Host Society CEO Karen Sherriffs mentioned the opening ceremony was a solution to introduce “the richness of our local culture” however it additionally set the desk for what’s to come back.

“It’s that ‘welcome’ to all these athletes that’s gonna really set the stage for two really unforgettable weeks of competition,” she mentioned. “It’s pretty magical when all those athletes start to come in and are the centre of attention as they walk in by province and territory.

“These athletes have skilled for over 4 years to get so far …[and] that is the primary time that they might characterize their province or territory on a nationwide stage.”

The Canada Games are Open! Step onto the floor of the opening ceremony

Athletes, coaches, family and friends welcomed 2025 Canada Games with energy, music and a whole lot more. It kicks off two weeks of the largest multi-sport competition in the country.

Sherriffs said the opening ceremony creates a lasting memory for many athletes simply because it brings everyone together.

“We typically hear from Canada Games alumni – whether or not that is athletes, workers or officers or coaches – typically our most memorable second is the opening and shutting ceremonies. Because it is actually that sense of unity, delight [and] pleasure that they carry with them,” Sherriffs said.

“When they stroll into that [arena], it does not matter what province territory you are from, that crowd and the viewers is cheering for them.”

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The Olympic champion, known for her speed on the ice, describes the value and importance of the Canada Games from her perspective as Chair of the Canada Games Council to CBC Sports host Anastasia Bucsis.

For Catriona Le May Doan, there’s nothing she looks forward to more than this moment.

The Canada Games Council Chair – a two-time Olympic champion and three-time Canada Games athlete – said the opening ceremony is where the journey each athlete took to get to the Games is celebrated.

“At each Games, no matter what Games they’re – whether or not they’re Canada Games, whether or not they’re Olympic Games, whether or not they’re Special Olympic Games – I really like the opening ceremony as a result of they’re so highly effective. They’re the beginning,” Le May Doan said. “For each person who’s been part of this journey, that is the place it begins.

“The opening ceremony is, for me, always emotional. Because it’s the culmination, and it’s the beginning.”

Le May Doan additionally delivered a message of motivation to the greater than 2,000 athletes available for the opening ceremony.

“You have so much support here in this arena, and in St. John’s, and across the country,” she mentioned. “I want to say to you today, savour the pride of representing your community, your province or territory. Use that pride as fuel, as you carry that further and push your limits.”

Stream stay motion from the 2025 Canada Games on CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem, and the CBC Sports YouTube channel. Check the broadcast schedule for full particulars.

Local Para-swimming legend Katarina Roxon lit the Canada Games cauldron to formally open the Games, which additionally begins a really busy stretch for a fellow Para swimmer. Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s Gavin Baggs is a dual-sport Para athlete and can compete in eight completely different disciplines in St. John’s – 5 swimming occasions plus three observe occasions. 

Baggs’s aim is to characterize Canada on the Paralympics and he mentioned these Games provide a means for younger athletes to showcase their skills as they progress of their sporting profession.

“These Games provide an arena for the best young athletes in Canada to really show off their skills, show off what they’ve been working on [and] how hard they’ve trained.”

Baggs mentioned there are fairly a number of causes for sports activities followers to look at the motion from St. John’s over the subsequent 17 days.

“The ability to just cheer for your province, cheer for the athletes that have worked so hard to see that all the effort they put in [has] finally paid off,” he mentioned. “It’s very entertaining to watch and it’s very uplifting, very emotional, dramatic stuff.”

St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen mentioned he is excited to absorb as a lot motion on the Games as he can due to the passion and coronary heart proven by Canada Games athletes.

“I’m a big softball [and] baseball fan. I still play softball – or try anyway – so I’m looking forward to [it],” he mentioned. “I was at the Canada Games in P.E.I. [in 2023] and even sports that I wasn’t that familiar with I watched because there was such excitement, and the camaraderie amongst the athletes – they’re just putting their all into it, and how supportive they were of each other. 

“[There] was simply such a sense there that I’m gonna be taking in as most of the Games right here as I probably can.”

Those not in St. John’s can watch live action from the Canada Games with CBC Sports. Live streams will be available on CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem and the CBC Sports YouTube channel throughout the Games. Click here for the full broadcast schedule.

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The occasions kick off Aug. 8-25 in St. John’s, N.L. and can be streamed on CBC Sports and CBC Gem.