Charlottetown, PE (January 10, 2023) - In recognition of the belief that good sport can make a great difference, the PEI 2023 Host Society and Canada Games Council have officially declared the 2023 Canada Winter Games a True Sport event – ensuring the values of fairness, excellence, inclusion and fun are at the heart of the Games.

Through this commitment to True Sport, the PEI 2023 Games encourages athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and spectators to bring the True Sport Principles to life through their actions, thereby making a statement about the kind of sport they want to be a part of.

“We are proud to declare the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games a True Sport event, and are committed to ensuring the values of good sport are at the forefront of everything we do,” said Wayne Carew, Board Chair, 2023 Canada Games Host Society. “The Canada Games are a celebration of sport, culture, and youth that unites our country and strengthens communities, and give us the platform to make a difference in sport and create a culture that is inclusive, respectful, and fair for everyone.”

“We applaud the leadership of the PEI Canada Games and the Host Society for their commitment to True Sport. We hope to see all provincial and territorial teams at the Games bring the True Sport Principles to life both on and off the field of play. It is wonderful to see the Games community rally around values-based sport in a collective effort to ensure positive sport experiences for all and a culture that will continue to have a lasting impact. Best of luck to all the athletes competing in PEI this winter!” said Karri Dawson, Executive Director of Values-Based Sport at the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport – the network leader for values-based sport and champion of True Sport.

The Canada Games aim to foster a culture of sport that instills character in participants, strengthens the communities involved, and increases opportunities for personal excellence. True Sport is a celebration of what makes the Canada Games special: athletes coming together and sharing their passion and love of physical activity, while hosting a welcoming and inclusive Games environment for all — as one of the only competitions in the world where able-bodied athletes and athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities compete side-by-side.

“Values-based sport is at the heart of the Canada Games Movement and we are thrilled to once again champion True Sport at the Canada Games in 2023,” said Evan Johnston, Chair of the Canada Games Council. “Through the power of sport, the Canada Games strengthen the fabric of Canada and spark greatness in the leaders of tomorrow. Guided by the True Sport Principles, we strive to create a Games experience that is fun, fair and inclusive for all, and inspires the next generation to lead by example on and off the field of play.”

There are many ways that participants and spectators can see True Sport come to life at the Games:

The PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games invites the community to join in and use the hashtag #TrueSportMoments to celebrate good sport and respectful competition moments in the lead-up to and during the Games.

True Sport Principles banners will be hung at every venue to raise awareness of the seven principles and serve as a reminder of the behaviour that is expected at each competition.

The Pat Lechelt True Sport Award will be presented to an athlete in each week of the Games who exemplifies the True Sport Principles both on and off the field of play.

The True Sport oaths and a True Sport flag will be included during the Opening Ceremony, which will be held on Saturday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m. AST at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown.

To learn more about True Sport visit truesport.ca