Photo by Whitehorse Star
Elaine Taylor
Sport Yukon, politician disappointed with AWG decision
Elaine Taylor admits she is disappointed with how things turned out.
Elaine Taylor admits she is disappointed with how things turned out.
The Yukon Government's Community Services Minister has been working long hours since news first broke in September that six major sports would not be part of the 2016 Arctic Winter Games in Nuuk, Greenland.
The announcement that midget hockey, curling, figure skating, speedskating, gymnastics and dog mushing would not be part of the 2016 Games' lineup irked many sporting groups across the territory, and they made sure Taylor knew about it.
Since then, the politician has been working to have the six sports reinstated to the Games' lineup, via a co-host city, or an exhibition series under the Arctic Winter Games banner.
Yesterday, news broke that the international committee that governs the Games has upheld their decision of a reduced sport program in Greenland, and will be moving ahead accordingly.
In response, the governments from Canada's three territories and Alaska have committed to host a non-affiliated tournament for the six eliminated sports. A committee's findings are expected to report to government by October.
"At the end of the day, it is disappointing,鈥� she told the Star. "We would have preferred to have seen that affiliated with the Arctic Winter Games.
"That said, we accept the decision. It's a final decision of the international committee, and now we're pleased to move forward with the work that needs to be done that will see a multi-sport event in 2016 that will provide our young athletes in those particular sports an opportunity to compete in that competition.鈥�
Taylor said this is an important issue for young athletes across the North.
"(Our stakeholders) really asked us to work on their behalf, and to see what we could do to encourage the international committee to explore any and all options to see a more wholesome set of Games,鈥� she said. "Eight months later, we have done our best.鈥�
Taylor said she has met with each of the affected stakeholders to hear concerns and ideas on how to include the affected athletes in Games-level competition.
"It is key to the continued growth and the development of our sport community across the circumpolar north, not just the Yukon,鈥� she said. "We view this as being a very important step forward.鈥�
Sport Yukon also voiced its displeasure with the committee's decision. The non-profit society is the umbrella organization of many of the territory's sport governing bodies, clubs and associations.
Yesterday, the following tweet appeared on Sport Yukon's official account: "AWG (International Committee) denies any and all ideas to allow (eliminated) sports to compete under the AWG banner in 2016. Very disappointing.鈥�
The 2014 Games will be held in Fairbanks, Alaska.
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Comments (3)
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Josey Wales on Jun 13, 2013 at 2:06 am
@Just Say'in...Why you say? IMHO I think it goes back to lower expectations and "inclusion" brainwashing. These days it is pretty standard to cease or lower the bar for a myriad of things when some cannot partake for whatever reason. The "crusade" to drop the bar in the name of "inclusion" has very much had an effect on our societies.
Kids play for fun not to compete, thus losing a VERY important life skill.
Socialist school boards dare not fail any kid as it may hurt their self esteem, who care about the other kids whom DO care and study as though they do...care about their future.
Since about 1982 the concept of a "merit" based society was tossed in political favor of inclusion...been kinda a sty since actually.
All crusades as this do (also just a mere personal opinion) is give false hope to those whom rely/look up to such a social engineering crusade...as that is NOT I repeat NOT the real world.
kinda funny in a ironic way really, why?
Because Greenland cannot provide so many venues and the still "somehow" secure the games?
here is the irony...Rick from Castle Rock fails to 100% complete the requirements of a tender for "allegedly" failing to include a managers personal resume for I "assume" competency to actually be able to fulfill the requirements...gets tossed 100% out and into the trash?
Based on Greenland's "special" needs/circumstances, perhaps Watson Lake or Ross River should submit an "inclusion" bid in for the next Olympics...summer or winter matters not.
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Unacceptable on Jun 12, 2013 at 3:11 pm
Ridiculous. Those kids get one shot. ONE. To play a sport they love quite likely at the highest level they will ever archieve and they award the games to a place incapable and unwilling to host the entire slate of events. Shameful.
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Just Say'in on Jun 11, 2013 at 10:55 am
Why is Greenland offered this Hosting duty if they are not able to handle it. They have the right to bid but if they can't do it then the second bid should be accepted. Nunavut split the games in 2002 with Greenland. Maybe Russia or Iceland or some other Northern Nation should be considered. If you can't handle it don't apply.