October 10, 2013 (Toronto, ON) – Today, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) proudly unveiled its Chef de Mission for the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games. The announcement was made in a speech delivered by Marcel Aubut, Canadian Olympic Committee President, during the first-ever Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) General Assembly meeting held in Toronto.

“We are so excited to at last, inform Canadians and those across the Americas of the individual who will be responsible for leading our TORONTO 2015 Canadian Pan American Team,” said Marcel Aubut, President, Canadian Olympic Committee. “Curt is one of Canada’s most decorated Olympians, and we are so grateful that he has accepted this great responsibility. I have full confidence that Canada’s Pan American athletes will benefit greatly from his extensive experience, unending passion and tremendous intensity.”

“What a truly incredible honour this is for me. I am ready for the task ahead and accept this massive responsibility,” said Curt Harnett, four-time Olympian, three-time Olympic medallist and the new Chef de Mission for Canada’s TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games Team.

“One of my goals as Chef will be to illustrate to all Canadians that these Games matter,” added Harnett. “They matter not just because an unprecedented amount of resources are being invested into sport, or because they afford Canada’s best athletes the opportunity to compete at home, in front of a hometown crowd. They matter because come 2015, various cultures and languages will be coming into our home and we will host them with a true Canadian spirit – one of peace, fair play and equality. To me, these are values worthy of promoting and celebrating.”

Canada’s 2015 Pan American Team is expected to be the largest team ever fielded at an international multi-sport competition. The unprecedented size of the Canadian Team for TORONTO 2015 will exceed 1,100 with the inclusion of athletes, coaches, and mission staff and is a result of the COC’s landmark financial investment.

“With this investment, we are ensuring that every Canadian athlete who is eligible to compete will compete,” added Aubut.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate Curt Harnett on being named the Chef de Mission for Canada’s 2015 Pan American Games team,” said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “Curt’s experience, both as an athlete and as 2011 Assistant Chef de Mission for Team Canada in Guadalajara, will provide our athletes and coaches with unparalleled leadership, knowledge, and enthusiasm leading up to and during the Games.”

In addition to the amazing experience of competing on home soil, competing at the Pan Am Games will provide crucial major Games experience in the run-up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

As with all major Games under its watch, the COC works hand-in-glove with its valued sport partners in Canada’s National Sport Federations, Own the Podium and Canadian Sport Centres to deliver a best-in class Games preparation process for Canadian athletes.

The TORONTO 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games will take place from July 10-26 and August 7-14 respectively in Toronto, Canada, with various events also held in communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.