Hundreds of Medals Awarded During Ontario 55+ Summer Games in Mississauga

More than 1,000 athletes crossed the finish line during the 2018 Ontario 55+ Summer Games (OSG 55+) held in Mississauga over the weekend. The two-day event was a celebration of sport, culture and active living in the city. The Games began with an Official Opening Ceremony on Friday, August 10.

“Mississauga is honoured to have hosted the Ontario 55+ Summer Games for the first time ever,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Sport has an incredible way of uniting us all, and I couldn’t be more proud of our athletes, officials and local volunteers who brought excitement and inspiration to our vibrant city. Mississauga is proud to be a diverse, age-friendly and accessible community that promotes active living opportunities for people of all ages.”

Mississauga welcomed individuals from across the province to the OSG 55+ and was supported by more than 300 volunteers. There were a total of 18 different sports that took place throughout nine venues in the city.

“I would like to thank everyone who made the 2018 Ontario 55+ Summer Games a success over the past weekend – to the City of Mississauga, the Ontario Seniors Games Association, and all the dedicated volunteers,” said Sylvia Jones, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “Congratulations to all the participants; your energy, enthusiasm and dedication to sport and healthy living are an inspiration to us all. Ontario recognizes the importance of the Games for promoting mental and physical well-being that can enhance our quality of life, strengthen our communities and bring people together.”

Approximately 300 athletes were awarded medals during the Ontario 55+ Summer Games.

“We want to congratulate all of the medal winners and participants in the Games,” said Games Co-Chairs, Hazel McCallion and Diane Kalenchuk. “We appreciate the excellent work done by the Games Organizing and Host Committees, the many sponsors and our wonderful Mississauga volunteers who made the 2018 Ontario 55+ Summer Games such a great success. Thank you and congratulations to all.”

Other highlights of the weekend included remarks by NHL legend Paul Henderson and entertainment by The Dreamboats during the opening ceremony at Celebration Square. Port Credit Memorial Park also celebrated the Games with a performance by The Patti Jannetta Band on Saturday, August 11.

Special thanks to TME Inc. for sponsoring the opening ceremony, Metalworks for sponsoring Middle Night, and Bell Canada, Connect Hearing and Square One as supporting sponsors for the Ontario 55+ Summer Games.

For more information about the Ontario 55+ Summer Games, visit osgmississauga.ca.

BACKGROUND:
About Ontario 55+ Games
The 2018 Ontario 55+ Summer Games took place in Mississauga from August 10 to 12, 2018. More than 1,000 participants 55 or older from across Ontario competed in active and passive activities including pickleball, cycling, euchre, tennis and more.

The Ontario 55+ Games is a celebration of active living hosted every year (alternating between Winter and Summer). The Ontario 55+ Summer Games, first held in Kitchener in 1986, are hosted on even-numbered years and bring together over 1,000 participants in August. The Ontario 55+ Winter Games, first held in Collingwood in 2000, are hosted on odd-numbered years and are held in February with approximately 1,000 participants.

Ontario Summer Games 2016
Mississauga hosted the Ontario Summer Games (OSG) in 2016 which included approximately 3,500 of Ontario’s young athletes, ages 12 to 18. The OSG took place at the Hershey Centre (now Paramount Fine Foods Centre) and various other venues across Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area from August 11 to 14, 2016.