The CANUSA Games are an annual contest, primarily for athletes age 18 and under, between the sister cities of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and Flint, Michigan, United States. The Games are the longest-running amateur sports competition in North America.Whitwell, Carli. "CANUSA games kick off", The Hamilton Spectator, 2008-08-08. Retrieved on 2008-12-05. The games are held in alternate locations, with Hamilton, Ontario, hosting in odd-numbered years.
History As a result of the Flint Olympian Games held in Flint, Michigan, in July 1957, the Flint officials of the Games wanted a city, of similar size and population, to compete with on a yearly basis. Hamilton was selected, which birthed the "CANUSA" games, whose name was derived from combining the names Canada and United States - CAN/USA.
The Games began in August 1958, and consisted of 200 athletes (from each city) competing in seven different sports. The Games have grown considerably, which is supported by the more than 1,600 athletes from each city competing in 17 different competitive sports, including basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, darts, golf, track and field, swimming and ice hockey. An estimated 25,000 people have participated in the games in their 50 years.Holmes, Kevin. "CANUSA Games celebrate 50 years ", ABC12 News, 2007-05-09. Retrieved on 2008-12-05.
Opening ceremonies Departing the night before from the visiting city, relay runners carry the torch over the border, covering a distance of 245 miles between Flint and Hamilton. The torch is run into the venue in which the opening ceremonies are held, which represents the official start of the Games.CANUSA Games History
To symbolize the relationship between the sister cities, the national anthems (from both nations) are sung by everyone present at the Opening Ceremonies. The Friendship Trophy is also given by the Mayor of the host city to the Mayor of the visiting city as a symbol of friendship and peace. The Games take the true meaning of friendship to task as each year the visiting country's athletes "billet" or reside with their counterparts during the entire weekend beyond competition. It is considered the signature of the Game's existence.
Journalist Ivan Miller of the Hamilton Spectator wrote the games' code of ethics and athletes' oath in 1959.
Editions Edition Host Notes 1957 Flint, Michigan, USA The Flint Olympian Games, a prelude to the first CANUSA Games 1958 Flint, Michigan, USA The first CANUSA Games 1959 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada The First CANUSA Games held in Hamilton 1960 Flint, Michigan, USA The first Harold Webster Trophy was awarded (Track & Field) 1961 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1962 Flint, Michigan, USA 1963 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1964 Flint, Michigan, USA 1965 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1966 Flint, Michigan, USA The first Jimmy Thompson Memorial Award Trophy was awarded (swimming) 1967 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1968 Flint, Michigan, USA The first Bernie Arbour Memorial Trophy was awarded (baseball) 1969 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada The first Ivan Miller Award was awarded (volunteer) 1970 Flint, Michigan, USA 1971 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1972 Flint, Michigan, USA 1973 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1974 Flint, Michigan, USA 1975 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1976 Flint, Michigan, USA 1977 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1978 Flint, Michigan, USA 1979 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1980 Flint, Michigan, USA 1981 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1982 Flint, Michigan, USA 1983 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1984 Flint, Michigan, USA 1985 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1986 Flint, Michigan, USA 1987 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1988 Flint, Michigan, USA 1989 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1990 Flint, Michigan, USA 1991 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1992 Flint, Michigan, USA 1993 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1994 Flint, Michigan, USA The Games' first paid Business Administrator 1995 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1996 Flint, Michigan, USA The first W. Clarence Willson Memorial Trophy was awarded (girls basketball) 1997 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1998 Flint, Michigan, USA 1999 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada The first Marg Brokenshire Memorial Award was given (Hamilton person that "goes the extra mile") 2000 Flint, Michigan, USA 2001 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 2002 Flint, Michigan, USA 2003 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 2004 Flint, Michigan, USA 2005 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 2006 Flint, Michigan, USA 2007 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada The first Bill Sturrup Memorial Trophies were awarded (golf) 2008 Flint, Michigan, USA 2009 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 2010 Flint, Michigan, USA 2011 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Flint wins its first road Games since 1959 2012 Flint, Michigan, USA Flint wins third consecutive Games2013Hamilton, Ontario, Canada2014Flint, Michigan, USA2015Hamilton, Ontario, Canada2016Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaHosting duties taken over by Hamilton due to ongoing Flint water crisis.2017Flint, Michigan, USA2018Hamilton, Ontario, Canada2019Flint, Michigan, USA2020cancelledCancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic2021Hamilton, Ontario, Canada2022Flint, Michigan, USA2023Hamilton, Ontario, Canada2024Flint, Michigan, USA
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