February 23 to March 10, 2021 ribbon Canada Winter Games 2007
The Whitehorse 2007 Canada Winter Games Sports

Official Canada Games sports

Alpine skiing
Although skiing was introduced to Austria, Canada and the United States in the mid 1800s, it would be 1936 before alpine skiing became an Olympic event. Alpine skiing has been part of the Canada Games since the first Canada Winter Games in 1967 in Québec City, with the exception of the 1991 Games in Prince Edward Island.

Three events comprise alpine skiing at the 2007 Canada Winter Games: Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G.

Archery
Archery has been featured in the Canada Summer Games since the 1977 Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Its last appearance as an outdoor sport was at the 1997 Canada Summer Games in Brandon, Manitoba. The 2003 Canada Winter Games was archery’s introduction as an indoor sport on the Canada Winter Games program.

There are four categories in archery: Compound males, Recurve males, Compound females and Recurve females. Compound and Recurve refers to the type of bow used. Four events make up the sport of archery at the Canada Games: men’s and women’s individual and men’s and women’s team.

Artistic gymnastics

Gymnastic events for men were included in the program of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. In 1928, ateam gymnastic event was authorized for women, but not until 1952 did women compete in individual events. Artistic gymnastics has been part of the Canada Games since the first Canada Winter Games in 1967 in Québec City. There are three competitions for men and three for women.

Badminton
Badminton’s origins date back at least two thousand years to the game of battledore and shuttlecock played in ancient Greece, India and China. Badminton came to Canada in 1900. It appeared in the Olympics as a demonstration sport in 1972 and became a full medal sport at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
It was on the program of the first Canada Summer Games in 1969 in Halifax-Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Six events make up the badminton program at the Canada Winter Games: Women’s Singles, Men’s Singles, Women’s Doubles, Men’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles and a Team Event.
Biathlon
The word "biathlon" stems from the Greek word for two contests. Today it represents the union of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Biathlon was a demonstration event in the 1928, 1936 and 1948 Winter Olympics. In 1960, it became a recognized men's Olympic event. At the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, women competed for the first time.
Biathlon first appeared on the Canada Games program at the 1991 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island.
Boxing
The sport of boxing has existed for more than 6,000 years and was included in the ancient Olympic Games in 668 BC. It was first part of the modern Olympic Games in 1904 in St. Louis and reappeared in 1920. Since then, it has been part of every Olympic Games. Boxing first appeared at the Canada Games in 1971, at the Canada Winter Games in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Cross country skiing
Also known as nordic skiing, this discipline is considered the father of all skiing and sledding sports. Developed in Scandinavia in the early part of the last millennium, nordic skiing was used by Norwegian and Swedish military patrols prior to races being contested between military units. Cross country skiing has been part of the Canada Winter Games since the first Canada Winter Games in 1967 in Québec City. There are two skiing styles: classical and freestyle.
Curling
Curling originated in 16th century Scotland, where games were played on frozen ponds and marshes. It was on the Olympic program in 1924 and was a demonstration sport at the 1932, 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics. Curling became an official sport for men and women at the Olympics in 1998. World Championships have been held for men since 1959 and for women since 1979. Curling was in the first Canada Winter Games in 1967 in Québec City, where men and women competed in a mixed tournament. Since the 1971 Canada Winter Games, there is both a men’s and women’s tournament.
Fencing
Evolved from the ancient form of combat, fencing is one of only four sports that have been featured at every modern Olympic Games. Fencing saw its debut at the Canada Winter Games in 1971 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It continued on the program through the 1975 and 1979 Canada Winter Games and then reappeared at the 1991 Canada Winter Games in PEI.

Figure skating
Skating on ice was, for hundreds of years, a rapid form of transportation across frozen lakes, rivers and canals. The oldest form of skate (a length of bone attached to sandals with thongs) dates back to 20,000 B.C..

Because competitions could be held indoors, figure skating was added to the 1908 Olympic Summer Games program. Figure skating became an official Olympic Winter Games sport at the 1924 Winter Games in Chamonix. Figure skating has been on the program of the Canada Games since the first Canada Winter Games in 1967 in Québec City.
Freestyle skiing
The first World Cup series was staged in 1980 and the first World  Championships took place in 1986 in Tignes, France, featuring moguls, aerials and ballet. Aerials were a demonstration event at the Calgary Games in 1988. Mogul skiing was added to the official program of the Albertville Games in 1992 and aerials were added at the Lillehammer Games in 1994. Freestyle skiing first appeared on the Canada Games program at the 1995 Canada Winter Games in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
Judo
Dr. Jigoro Kano opened the first judo school in Tokyo in 1882. The first world championships were held in 1956. Judo broke into the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964, and women’s Judo was added to the program in 1992. Judo first appeared on the program of the Canada Games at the 1971 Canada Winter Games in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Women’s judo was added to the program at the 1987 Canada Winter Games in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Men's hockey
The word hockey comes from old French "hocquet" which meant "stick". It’s widely accepted that the sport originated in the 19th century in Nova Scotia. The first Olympic Games to include ice hockey for men were the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. Hockey was then played again at the first Olympic Winter Games in 1924 in Chamonix.
Men’s hockey has been part of every Canada Winter Games including the inaugural games held in Quebec City in 1967, where Alberta battled BC for the gold.
Ringette
Sam Jacks of North Bay, Ontario invented the game of ringette in 1963. The first documented ringette game was played in Espanola, Ontario by a high school women’s hockey team. In 1990, the first World Ringette Championships were held in Gloucester, Ontario and carried by CTV. Ringette has been on the Canada Games program since the 1991 Canada Winter Games in PEI.
Shooting
The sport was first popular in English-speaking countries, notably England and the United States, as well  as Ireland and South Africa. Shooting has been part of the Olympic Summer Games since 1896 and was on the program of the very first Canada Winter Games in 1967 in Québec City. It appeared again in the 1973 Summer Games (New Westminster-Burnaby, BC) and 1977 Canada Summer Games (St. John’s, NF) but then fell off the program until the 1991 Canada Winter Games in PEI.
Speed skating
Netherlands is the birthplace of speed skating. The first known skating competition is thought to have been held in 1676. Speed skating has been a part of the Olympic program since the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix Mont Blanc in 1924. Originally only men participated, but women's events were included in the 1960 Squaw Valley Games. Short track speed skating was first introduced at the 1983 Canada Winter Games in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Québec and was first included in the official program at the XVI Olympic Winter Games in Albertville in 1992. Long track speed skating has been part of the Canada Games since the first Canada Winter Games in 1967 in Quebec City with the exception of the 1987 and 1991 Canada Winter Games.
Squash
Squash developed from the game of rackets in England in the mid-19th century. Students started a knockabout game which, because it was played in a confined area, required a softer ball than the hard one used for rackets. It was from this ball that could be ‘squashed’ in the hand, that the name derived. Squash made its debut at the 1991 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island and has been part of every Winter Games since.
Synchronized swimming
Synchronized swimming is one of the few disciplines to be contested only by women (rhythmic gymnastics and ringette are the others). In the 1920s, a group of Canadian women, led by Margaret Sellers, developed what they called “ornamental swimming,” which later became synchronized swimming. Synchronized swimming appeared as a full medal sport at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 and has been on the program of the Canada Games since the very first Canada Winter Games in 1967 in Québec City.
Table tennis
The sport of table tennis was first played in England in the 1890s. Table tennis has become the world's largest participation sport, with 40 million competitive players worldwide and countless millions playing recreationally. Table tennis appeared as a full medal sport at the Seoul Olympics in 1988. Table tennis has been on the program of the Canada Games since the first Canada Winter Games in 1967 in Quebec City.
Wheelchair basketball
At the end of World War II, society was confronted with an unusual number of veterans with physical disabilities. The philosophy of the rehabilitation staff of the day was to adapt specific sports. Basketball was one of the most adaptable team sports and was played in various parts of the world in the early 1940s. Wheelchair Basketball was first introduced at the 1995 Canada Winter Games in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
Women's hockey
Playing on frozen ponds and rivers, the first documented women’s hockey game was held in 1892 in Barrie, Ontario, two years before the first Stanley Cup championship. Women’s hockey made its debut at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, and the 2002 Gold Medal winning Canadian Women’s Olympic Team has brought the female game to the next level. Women's hockey was included for the first time at the Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island in 1991.

For detailed information on the technical requirements for each event including: age classes, athlete eligibility, team sizes and other competition details, click here.

Back to the top

Demonstration sport

Snowboarding
Snowboarding first appeared on the Olympic Games program in the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan and featured Halfpipe and Giant Slalom competitions. At the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, the Giant Slalom was replaced with the Parallel Giant Slalom. Snowboarding makes its Canada Winter Games debut at the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse. Halfpipe and Parallel Giant Slalom will be featured. Click here for more information.

 

Back to the top

Inuit and Dene Games

Inuit Games

The following games are traditional to the Inuit and Inuvialuit of the Arctic regions of North America. They will be showcased during the Pan North Inuit Games Competition and medals will be presented.

One Foot High Kick
The one foot high kick is a game that combines power (explosive strength) with a degree of coordination and body control. It is considered to be one of the most difficult and exciting of Inuit Traditional Games.

Two Foot High Kick
The two foot high kick is considered by athletes to be the most demanding arctic sport; the most difficulty being keeping proper balance while airborne.

Alaskan High Kick
Like many of the Inuit Games Alaskan high kick can be played in a confined area. There is no run up and the space required is no larger than the equivalent of a full body length in diameter or extension.

One Hand Reach
A mind game in which mental focus, preparation and strength endurance in the upper body determines how far the competitor is able to extend the upper body, thus how high he is able to reach.

Kneel Jump
The kneel jump winner is the person that jumps the farthest and shows balance. This game trained hunters to move quickly when ice on the sea started to break and enabled hunters to jump a span of water from a kneeling position to reach safety.

Swing Kick
The swing kick is a traditional event combining flexibility, strength and focus. Competitors attempt to touch a suspended target with both feet, while supporting their bodies using only their hands.

Arm Pull
The arm pull is a contest of strength, patience and focus. A competitor attempts to overpower their opponent through a sustained effort.

Inuit Games Demonstration Events
In addition to the medal events, the following are also part of the Inuit Games: Knuckle Hop, Airplane, Head Pull, Triple Jump, Bench, Reach, Toe Hang, Blanket Toss.

Dene Games

The following Games are some of the most common games played today and are going to be showcased during the Traditional Games Pan Northern event. Medals will be presented for each of the following competitions.

Finger Pull
The finger pull is a test of strength endurance and maximal strength of the arm and pulling hand. Pain endurance may also be a determining factor in deciding the winner of the contest.

Hand Games (Stick Gambling):
This is one of the most important Traditional Game among the Yukon and Northwest Territories First Nations, in the Sahtu and Deh Cho, and among the Dogrib and Chipewyan people. Any festive occasion will provide a good opportunity to play this game, which is usually the liveliest of all Dene Games. Hand games is a game of guessing and deceiving and played to a chorus of drums.

Snow Snake
Traditionally a hunting tool to catch small game, in competition it is used as a distance game. In snow snake, a spear is thrown underhand along the ground and similar to javelin in track and field, the person that throws the spear the farthest wins.

Stick Pull
A Chief, an elder or one of the successful hunters would invite the village people to a feast. After everybody had eaten, the men and boys joined in the stick pull. On these occasions, bear grease was used to grease the stick. The concept of the game is to pull the stick from your opponent’s hand.

Pole Push
Two opposing teams of four try and push their competitor out of a circle. The game requires strength endurance and maximal strength.

Dene Games Demonstration Events
In addition to the medal events, the following are also part of the Dene Games: hoop and pole, moose skin ball, Dene swing

For detailed information on the technical requirements for each event including: age classes, athlete eligibility, team sizes and other competition details click here.

Back to the top