THE VALUE OF THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES to Canadian athletes and Canada's sport system

Measurable, Evidence Based Facts ....

• On average about 70% of Canada’s Commonwealth athletes make the Canadian Pan American Games Team.   
• On average about 50% of Canada’s Commonwealth athletes make the Canadian Summer Olympic Games Team. 
• Canada won 18 medals of the 2012 Olympic Games. Nine (9) of those medals were won in sports contested at both the Commonwealth and Olympic Games and all 9 were won by Commonwealth athletes.
• On a “soft” note, dozens of Canadian Commonwealth Champions go on to become Olympic Champions, recently & notably: Clara Hughes, Kyle Shewfelt, Ryan Cochrane and Alex Despatie;

“I won gold when I was 13 in Kuala Lumpur (1998 Commonwealth Games) … 
it was my first big games, the beginning of my career, it was very special and an experience I’ll remember all my life.” 

Alex Despatie, Commonwealth & Olympic Champion Diver

Ryan Cochrane Swimming	Pamela Ware / Jennifer Abel Synchronized Diving	Ellie Black Gymnastics

EXCEPTIONAL "CANADIANS" AT COMMONWEALTH GAMES

1966 Commonwealth Games - Jamaica
Elaine Tanner “Mighty Mouse” – 15 years old
Made history winning a record 7 Medals:  4 GOLD, 3 SILVER

Elaine Tanner was the first athlete in history to win quad gold at any Commonwealth Games and was awarded the most outstanding athlete in Jamaica.  She also set two World Records; on in the 220 Butterfly and another in the 440 Individual Medley.  To read Elaine's story:  www.ElaineTanner.ca

2006 Commonwealth Games – Melbourne Alexandra Orlando –   Rhythmic Gymnastics Winning 6 GOLD medals	2014 Commonwealth Games - Glasgow Patricia Bezzoubenko – 17 years old Rhythmic Gymnastics Winning 5 GOLD and 1 BRONZE medals