University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada 10 January 1997

University could be big winner if IAAA games come to City of Edmonton

Staff, students, facilities would play major role, says Bob Steadward

By David Holehouse

The University of Alberta could be a major beneficiary of the 2001 International Amateur Athletic Association games, if Edmonton ends up hosting the games in 2001, says sports dynamo Bob Steadward.

Dr Steadward says the games are the third-biggest sporting event in the world, after the Olympics and World Cup soccer. Edmonton could expect to draw 3,000 athletes from 200 countries, 5,000 media representatives, 1,500 officials and VIPs, and television coverage seen by 3.4 billion people.

The Director of the Rick Hansen Centre, Associate Professor of Physical Education and Recreation, and President of the International Paralympic Committee, believes Edmonton has a good chance because the IAAA is interested in bringing the event to what would be its first North American venue. Edmonton has already been approved as the Canadian bid thanks to the efforts of Dr Steadward and a group of supporters, and he says that if the games do come here, the University of Alberta stands to benefit.

"It has tremendous implications," he says. "We could be looking at upgrading facilities, maybe a new all-weather field, the athletes' village, new athletic scholarships and bursaries, foundation facilities such as housing, not to mention the opportunities for staff and students to be involved in workshops and clinics, and as volunteers."

The event budget is $50 to $60 million, supported by ticket sales, sponsorships and television contracts. The University could cash in on some of the revenues to help fund projects that perhaps it would complete with or without the games over the next four years, Dr Steadward says. He hasn't had much detailed discussion with University administrators yet, because he wanted to see if Edmonton would be chosen as the Canadian bid. That word came down earlier last month. Now Dr Steadward wants to make sure that the games do indeed come to Edmonton in 2001, and that the greatest spin-off benefits possible come to the University.

Folio front page

Office of Public Affairs

University of Alberta