London will host back-to-back Ontario Summer Games.
Already set to host the 2018 event this summer, the city has been named host for the 2020 Ontario Summer Games.
“We are a sports city through and through and it’s so fitting that we’ve been chosen as host city for the 2020 Ontario Summer Games," Mayor Matt Brown said in a statement released Friday morning. "We have an army of volunteers at the ready to make this event amazing and we are so proud of our hometown athletes, who I know will do great things. Congratulations to everyone at Tourism London and the team who has worked so hard on this already.”
It's expected the 2020 games will see about 3,500 athletes, coaches, and officials come to London. That's the same number that is expected at the 2018 games, which will be held August 2-5. The events will be held at venues across the city, including Western University, Fanshawe Lake, and Stronach Fields.
London is no stranger to the Ontario Summer Games, having previously hosted them in 2004, 1996, and 1975.
A $1-million grant from the province will cover the bulk of the costs associated with the games. It's estimated the economic impact of the event is in the neighbourhood of $6-million.
“Any time we can showcase our great city and world-class facilities to athletes and families from across the province is a positive," said Cheryl Finn, director of sport tourism for Tourism London in a news release. "London has developed a great reputation when it comes to sport hosting and we look forward to once again welcoming these participants and their families to London to experience more than just our sporting facilities but also some of our one-off restaurants, unique attractions, and everything else London has to offer.”
