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Whitehorse has been named the winner of the 2013 Canada Games Flag Relay contest. The city will be honoured with a plaque.

The Yukon capital was chosen as the victor this week as it was deemed to have demonstrated the most Canada Games spirit out of all the participating communities. The flag, which travelled across Canada visiting past host communities from June 10 to Aug. 2, began its trek in Whitehorse and set the momentum for the entire relay.

‘‘Congratulations to Whitehorse on winning the 2013 Canada Games Flag Relay contest,'' Canada Games Council chairman Tom Quinn said in a press release.

‘‘This relay is always a wonderful opportunity to engage past host communities in the lead up to Games time. Whitehorse did a tremendous job of celebrating the Canada Games and of demonstrating their community spirit.''

Whitehorse ensured the relay got off to a great start by planning a plethora of activities during the three days in which they had the flag in June.

The organizers toured the flag throughout the city, visiting destinations such as landmark sites, parks, playgrounds, the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre, sports clubs, a children's triathlon, and finally, the Canada Games Centre, which was the legacy facility for the 2007 Games.

Whitehorse also had a flag-raising ceremony that involved Whitehorse Mayor Dan Curtis, Canada Games Council vice-chairman and board member Piers McDonald, then-Minister of Community Services Elaine Taylor, as well as past and present Canada Games athletes.

The organizers added a special touch by creating a video compilation showcasing the flag's voyage throughout Whitehorse. It captures the essence of the Canada Games spirit by displaying the pride of the community in hosting the flag.

The video can be found online at http://animoto.com/play/rstsVXSdYHKHuZXij7CJUw.

Starting in 2006 in the lead-up to the 2007 Games, the 2013 Canada Games flag relay marked the fourth time communities have welcomed the flag to celebrate the upcoming Games and host community.

The program was implemented to allow each community the opportunity to share their excitement in the lead up to an upcoming Canada Games and to celebrate their own accomplishments of the past.