Ontario's Lieutenant Governor, Edith Dumont, dropped into Orillia today to officially open the 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games taking centre stage in the region over the next two days.
At a busy Orillia Recreation Centre Tuesday afternoon, Dumont met with community members and local dignitaries ahead of tonight's opening ceremonies.
"This is my first official visit to a city as a new Lieutenant Governor," Dumont said. "I came here especially to open up the Winter Games which will officially start later today."
Dumont says it's important for her to support the approximately 850 athletes competing in the Ontario 55+ Games this week.
"We all know that maintaining good health and being physically active provides us with a lot of opportunity for socialization and to have a good lifestyle," she said. "It's important for me to congratulate all the athletes who will be participating."
Dumont, 59, is an avid swimmer who relates to the athletes competing this week.
"I know that even though we have a lot to do at home and work, maintaining a lifestyle where we include physical activities is very important," she said.
Seeing Ontario seniors competing at their highest level is inspiring, said Dumont.
"It shows that they have spent a lot of time exercising and practising their sports," she said. "When you do a sport, it means you are also meeting other people."
Dumont encourages athletes competing this week to make new friends and to share conversations with like-minded individuals from other parts of the province. She also encourages local residents to attend the events to root for the athletes.
"It's good for community," she said. "These are all good activities for us and citizens."
Dumont hopes the Winter Games will encourage those on the sidelines to get involved.
"Of course, you can discover sports later in your life," she said. "The sooner you start the easier it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle."
Hockey, badminton, table tennis, duplicate bridge, prediction skating, alpine skiing, and curling events will take place over the next two days during the Ontario 55+ Winter Games.
There will be nine Orillia sporting venues accommodating the events. Horseshoe Resort, the Coldwater Curling, and the Chippewas of Rama First Nation’s Mnjikaning Arena Sports Ki (MASK) will also be hosting various competitions.
For a full schedule of events, which are free to attend, click here.
