It appears that athletes at the International Children’s Games (ICG) set to be held in Windsor, Ont., might have to cross the border to compete in swimming competitions in 2013.As reported on CBC.ca, county funding for construction of a new Olympic-sized 50-m (164-ft) pool was denied at a Jan. 19 council meeting. If this option is off the table, a contingency plan will see athletes transported to an existing 50-m pool in Detroit, Mich., for aquatic events.
Essex is set to co-host the event with Windsor, and will pay for a portion of the games (a proposed $600,000 over three years). Windsor is set to commit $900,000 over three years, pending council approval this week. The total cost of the games, which will attract approximately 1,500 athletes, along with their families, coaches and trainers, is estimated at $2.5 million.
Windsor mayor Eddie Francis told CBC the city will contemplate whether to request money from higher levels of government to get the pool built. According to a report in The Windsor Star, Francis had already asked for an extension on a Dec. 31 deadline to withdraw the city’s bid if sponsorships and facilities plans were in question.
First held in 1968, the International Children’s Games were founded by Metod Klemenc, and host summer and winter competitions for male and female children between the ages of 12 and 15. The games have played host to more than 33,500 children from 74 countries over the years. The 2011 winter edition of the games is being held this week in Kelowna, B.C.
