Games of La
Francophonie


From September 27 to October 6, 2009, Lebanon will welcome 3,000 participants from nearly 50 countries of the International Francophonie in its capital city of Beirut.

Team Canada at the VI Games of La Francophonie'

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The Games of La Francophonie are an opportunity to celebrate French and excellence in sports as well as cultural diversity. The Games are unique in that they are the only international games that feature both cultural and sports competitions where athletes and artists have the chance to step onto a podium and receive a gold, silver or a bronze medal.

Disciplines

Cultural Competitions
Song
Storytelling
Original Dance
Literature (Short Stories)
Painting
Photography
Sculpture

Sport Competitions
Athletics (men’s and women’s)
Basketball (women’s)
Boxing (men’s)
Soccer (men’s - under 20 years old)
Judo (men’s and women’s)
Table Tennis (mixed)
Beach Volleyball (exhibition)

Canada’s Participation
Since the inception of the Games of La Francophonie, the Canadian delegation has consisted of three teams: Team Canada, Team Canada-New Brunswick and Team Canada-Quebec.

The Department of Canadian Heritage is responsible for organizing and coordinating the participation and coaching of athletes and artists who represent Team Canada. Team Canada selects its members from across the country and its roster can include participants from any of Canada’s provinces and territories. Athletes and artists are selected based on performance excellence, not on linguistic affiliation.

Some History
The Games of La Francophonie were created in 1987 during the Summit of La Francophonie in Quebec City. The mandate of the Comité international des Jeux de la Francophonie, which reports to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, is to oversee the overall organization of the Games in the host country.

A huge event for young people, the Games of La Francophonie are held every four years, bringing together athletes and artists from five continents. To date, the Games have been held alternately in northern and southern countries.

MOROCCO, July 1989

  • 38 countries, 1,700 participants
  • Team Canada: 43 medals

FRANCE, July 1994

  • 45 countries, 2,700 participants
  • Team Canada: 39 medals

MADAGASCAR, August 1997

  • 30 countries, 2,300 participants
  • Team Canada: 39 medals

CANADA (Ottawa-Hull), July 2001

  • 51 countries, 2,400 participants
  • Team Canada: 46 medals

NIGER, December 2005

  • 44 countries, 2,500 participants
  • Team Canada: 18 medals

For More Information
If you’d like to know more about the VI Games of La Francophonie and Canada’s participation, visit our website at:

www.gamesoflafrancophonie2009.pch.gc.ca

“To young people, the Games of La Francophonie represent a true adventure of the human spirit in which the meetings, exchanges and discoveries open the horizon to endless possibilities.” - The CIJF