Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island — The 2023 Canada Winter Games Host Society is excited to launch 2023 Canada Games Spirit Day, a community-focused initiative encouraging Islanders to share their excitement for the Games online by wearing and decorating their communities in green and blue on February 17.

2023 Canada Games Spirit Day, a COVID-19 friendly initiative, will help build excitement and kick off celebrations to mark One Year Out from the 2023 Canada Winter Games. In February 2023, the Games will bring together 3,600 athletes, managers, and coaches, across 20 different sports, for the largest multi-sport event in the country. With a forecasted economic impact of over $100 million, the 29th edition of the Canada Games will be the largest event hosted in Prince Edward Island’s history.

There are many different ways to share the spirit of the 2023 Canada Winter Games. Local businesses, families, and schools are encouraged to get creative with how they can participate:

• Wear green or blue – the official colours of the 2023 Canada Games
• Decorate storefront windows, and light up community centres in green and blue
• Purchase official merchandise online. 
• Reminisce on the last time PEI hosted the Canada Winter Games, and dig out your vintage 1991’ jackets!
• Get active outside and play your favourite winter sport!

Participants are encouraged to share photos of their 2023 Canada Games spirit on social media for a chance to win one of five $250 Canada Games gift cards, or the grand prize opportunity to become an official torchbearer** in the upcoming Torch Relay. To participate, individuals or groups must take a picture of themselves showcasing their excitement for the 2023 Canada Games on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the handle @2023CanadaGames and the hashtag #CWG2023. Full contest details are available at the bottom of this page.

QUOTES

“One Year Out is a major milestone within our journey to the 2023 Canada Games and it’s important that we find meaningful ways to celebrate, while keeping the health and safety of Islanders at the forefront. We're grateful for the strong support we’ve already received from the community and this is another great way for Islanders to get involved and to show their excitement for the Games. We look forward to seeing the 2023 Canada Games spirit from tip-to-tip on February 17, as we prepare to safely welcome the nation to PEI in 2023.”

- Wayne Carew & Brian McFeely, Co-Chairs, 2023 Canada Games Host Society

“With only one year to go the countdown to the 2023 Canada Winter Games is officially on. We cannot wait to spark greatness in the next generation of athletes and leaders and to unite the nation on Prince Edward Island by showcasing the very best in Canadian sport and spirit. We hope all Canadians join Islanders to celebrate that spirit and get active on February 17 for Canada Games Spirit Day, as excitement builds on the road to the 2023 Games.”

- Evan Johnston, Chair, Canada Games Council

“In one year, Canadian athletes, coaches and volunteers from across the country will gather on Prince Edward Island to challenge themselves to be the best they can be. Our government is proud to support the Canada Games, and I look forward to cheering on our next generation of elite athletes. The 2023 Canada Games Day will surely build excitement and anticipation, and I encourage all Canadians to show their support and share the spirit of the Canada Games on February 17.”

- The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport, Government of Canada

“We are looking forward to safely welcoming the nation to the 2023 Canada Games on Prince Edward Island. Sports have always been a vitally important part of our communities right across the Island, and it’s certainly been a tough couple of years for athletes across Canada. We are celebrating the one year out milestone and are continuing to support our athletes on their journey to the Games.”

- The Honourable Ernie Hudson, Minister of Health and Wellness, Province of Prince Edward Island

“The 2023 Canada Winter Games Spirit Day is the perfect opportunity to show how proud we are to be one of the sporting and cultural hubs of the Games. Events of this calibre strengthen the bonds that unite our communities while supporting local businesses and workers. This one-year out celebration is a fantastic opportunity for Islanders to show Canadians what these Games mean to us as we prepare to safely welcome Canadians to Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island for this thrilling winter sporting event.”

- Mayor Philip Brown, City of Charlottetown

“As we approach one year out from the 2023 Canada Winter Games, you can certainly see the excitement in and around our City and that momentum will continue to build as February 2023 nears.”

- Mayor Basil Stewart, City of Summerside

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2023 CANADA GAMES SPIRIT DAY CONTEST DETAILS 

On February 17, post a photo or video on social media and tag @2023CanadaGames for a chance to win 1 of 5 $250 Canada Games gift cards, or the Grand Prize opportunity to be an official torchbearer in our upcoming Torch Relay!

How to enter:

1. Follow @2023CanadaGames on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
2. Like our social media posts on February 17 celebrating Canada Games Spirit Day
3. On February 17, share a photo or video wearing green and/or blue, or share how you are celebrating Canada Games Spirit Day. Make sure to tag us and use #CWG2023 in your post.

Giveaway will be closed at 11:59 p.m. AST and is open to PEI residents only. Winners will be randomly selected and contacted on February 18, 2022. Good luck!

**The following criteria is required to be a torchbearer for the 2023 Canada Games:

• Be at least 12 years of age on or before October 1, 2022;
• Be a Canadian citizen or lawfully entitled to reside in Canada for the duration of the relay (October 4, 2022, until February 18, 2023);
• Be able to complete (run, walk or wheel) the assigned segment (160 to 500 meters) on that assigned day;
• Must be able to complete assigned torch relay segment while holding the torch (3 to 6 lbs) in an upright position at eye level, or use an adaptable torch bracket and/or assistant;
• Be able to participate in the one to two-hour torch community celebration that is a part of the assigned torch relay;
• Wear the provided torchbearer uniform for the duration of your torchbearer experience;
• Consent to undertake and successfully complete an enhanced security background check;
• Agree to have your photo, profile and story published by the 2023 Canada Winter Games, Canada Games Council, Games sponsors or media for the purpose of promoting the 2023 Canada Winter Games Torch Relay events.