Canada Games mascot revealed, but needs name
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/05/2016 (3643 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A magical creature searching for a name was introduced at Dufferin School on Wednesday morning and greeted by over 280 students who cheered and chanted “Canada Games!”
The cute, friendly, flame-bearing creature is the official mascot for the 2017 Canada Games, a multisport national event for young athletes which will be held in Winnipeg on July 28 to August 13, 2017.
The mascot, inspired by Manitoba’s unique climate and culture, was described as being “a magical creature created by the summer heat, who lives in Manitoba’s Spirit Sands desert. It draws its strength from the scorching sun, giving it energy to explore forests, lakes and fields.”
Principal Wayne Wyke said Dufferin School, a nursery to Grade 6 school in Winnipeg’s inner city, was thrilled to be invited to host the mascot reveal celebration.
“I was just blown away. What are the chances of us being able to do that (with so many schools in the city)?” Wyke said. “For our students to have a dream one day of representing Winnipeg and surrounded by so many people from around Canada, is really good for our students. For them to pursue a dream, pursue a goal and work to try to attain it, is very positive.”
In attendance were Jeff Hnatiuk, president and CEO of the 2017 Canada Games Host Society, Cst. Garnie McIntyre, Dufferin’s school resource officer, among other community representatives.
However, the mascot needs a name.
Amid the music and dancing in the Dufferin School gym, the Naming Challenge was announced and everyone was invited to participate. In fact, all students who are enrolled in kindergarten to Grade 8 across Manitoba are invited from May 4 to May 27, 2016, to submit a name as a class or individually by going to www.canadagames.ca/2017. A group of five finalists will be announced on June 1 followed by voting which will be open to the general public on June 1 to 6. The mascot’s name will be revealed on June 9.
The mascot’s back story also included details of what it likes to do. “It finds fun in the simplest activities, like playing hide-and-seek with lizards, peek-a-boo with prairie dogs, and sneaking up on white-tailed deer. It loves to dance, climb trees, and head off on adventures,” such as next year’s Canada Games.
The Games will include 16 sports, 250 events, a major cultural festival and will attract over 4,000 coaches and athletes from across Canada. It is being billed as the best games ever since this event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Canada Games and Canada’s 150th birthday.
ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca