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Tickets for the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games Opening Ceremony have sold out and ones for gold medal events are selling fast, the Organising Committee has revealed.

Fans have already snapped up almost 275,000 tickets for the event, with the men's football gold medal game, and aquatics, track cycling, BMX, canoeing and kayaking, beach volleyball and equestrian jumping events proving particularly popular.

"Tickets to see those memorable medal moments are selling quickly," Saäd Rafi, chief executive of Toronto 2015.

"The Games are a once-in-a-generation chance to see our most elite summer Games athletes compete on home soil and to be part of the high-energy crowd who will be cheering them on and singing our anthem together."

There are now also limited tickets available for the men's baseball and basketball gold medal matches, and the 100 metres, 4x100m relay, beach and indoor volleyball and rugby sevens finals, as well as for the Closing Ceremony.

"The numbers are beyond our expectations - especially since we haven't yet announced when Team Canada will be playing, not to mention the countless athletes from across the Americas who are still in the process of qualifying for the Games," Rafi added.

"That said, it was no surprise that the available tickets to our Opening Ceremony, produced by Cirque de Soleil, went fast.

"It's sure to be an unforgettable night."

Toronto 2015 Pan American Games tickets, which start at just $20 (£13/€18), with 75 per cent of tickets priced $45 (£30/€40) and under, are available for purchase here.

Tickets for the Parapan American Games will go on sale in spring this year, giving sports fans the chance to watch some of the world's best Para-athletes as they compete for their chance to qualify for Rio 2016.

The Toronto 2015 Pan American Games are due take place from July 10 to 26, while the Parapan Games are scheduled for August 7 to 15.

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Port-of-Spain, Trinidad January 27, 2015: Guardian Group and the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) hosted a press conference today, Tuesday January 27^th, 2015 to re-affirm its partnership and commitment to the TTOC, ensuring the welfare and protection of Trinidad and Tobago athletes not only as they prepare for Rio 2016 but for life after sport with financial assistance and professional support to the #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund.  In addition to its support of the fund, Guardian Group has been able to structure a package of insurance coverage to the TTOC for all athletes in the Sporting Federations identified by the TTOC. The TTOC is now actively considering the plan which includes local Medical Coverage and Accident Medical coverage for injuries arising out of sporting/training events.

At the press conference Douglas Camacho, Executive Director and Group President Strategic Investments and former President of the TTOC shared Guardian Group’s legacy of support to the TTOC and ongoing commitment to ensuring Trinidad and Tobago’s athletes are so positioned to not only have success in their respective disciplines but in life after sport. This has always been a focus for Guardian Group going as far back as 2001.

Guardian Group’s partnership with TT Olympic Committee spans almost (15) years.  In 2001, Guardian Life of the Caribbean initiated the Youth Star Programme, the vision of which was the personal development of young people which included the nurturing of important life skills – outside of training – for a more holistic development of these young adults. In addition to Guardian’s executives providing expertise in financial and investments planning, these young people were coached in public speaking and presentation skills. The first group of athletes who participated were Darrel Brown, Marc Burns, Danille Prime, Fana Ashby, Shane Stone, Tyler Mayers and Lindell Brooks as part of the pilot project.  In return, these athletes mentored youths in Trinidad and Tobago at schools and other youth fora.

When the Youth Star programme was phased out in 2006, Guardian Life of the Caribbean  partnered with the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) to implement a health and wellness initiative aimed at encouraging athletic development and improving the physical wellbeing of Trinidad & Tobago citizens. In 2007 Youth Stars morphed into Shape Your Life,

Affiliate Assistance/ Athletes –four athletes got assistance in their preparation for the Pan American Games in Rio. These were athletes who would not have been able to benefit from the government’s Elite Athletes Funding programme. Among them was local hammer thrower, Candice Scott, the only athlete to represent Trinidad & Tobago in this event.

Elderly Aquatic Programme –for three hours every week from April to August, 40 sixty-five year olds (plus) took part in aerobic aquatic exercises.  Physiotherapists, life guards and instructors in tandem with Hydro-fit facilitated the much enjoyed aqua-therapy.

Intergenerational Heritage Games – 1200 participants ranging in age from 8 to 80 from six communities in rural Trinidad came together for the Games. The games re-established strong links within communities and promoted overall camaraderie and competitive spirit.

TTOC President, Brian Lewis was presented with a cheque from the Group CEO of Guardian Group, Ravi Tewari to aid #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund. Brian Lewis, TTOC President, expressed his gratitude to Guardian Group and commended their long standing partnership in the work of the TTOC. He also indicated that Guardian Group’s offer of medical coverage was a very positive development and breakthrough in the protection and coverage of Trinidad and Tobago athletes on the world stage.

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis's smile was a bit broader this morning when four corporate entities handed over cheques to the #10gold24 Athlete Preparation and Welfare Fund.

At the TTOC headquarters on Abercromby Street, Colombus Communications, Southern Sales, Toyota and Deloitte & Touche all made financial contributions to the fund that Lewis launched with his 26.2mile walk in the Trinidad and Tobago International Marathon Sunday.

The investment  follows the $250,000 cheque the Guardian Group donated yesterday to the Fund Just Tuesday , Douglas Camacho  appealed to corporate Trinidad and Tobago to stop the bandwagon jumping and step forward to help T&T athletes in their development stage.

Lewis hoped that this would be the start of a long-lasting relationship with the new investors.

"This is a first time for the Olympic Committee not only because of the roll out of the #10 gold24 and the establishment of the athletes preparation and welfare fund but in terms of signaling  to the national community  the strategic  transformation and  modernisation of the TTOC marketing approach," Lewis said, adding the TTOC was adapting a new social and digital media initiative to connect with a younger audience.

"We have to be scrupulously honest. The idea is we would love to see at  some point it (this relationship) evolve and that you find the experience such a fantastic one that  you want to take it to the top partner level but at this point in time it is really about the athletes and   no one stake holder can do it all  because it is not an inexpensive proposition," Lewis said The former rugby player said the TTOC   is also taking a more proactive approach to fan and corporate engagement.

By expanding to other corporate stake holders, Lewis hoped to secure more resources to help more athletes.

"What the Fund/project is allowing us to do is to satisfy the demands of our relationship with our top partners but also afford an opportunity to other businesses and corporate entities in the marketplace to engage and be part of what we believe is an absolutely powerful initiative which is to engage the young people of T&T in a contemporary and dynamic way ......I hope your involvement is not a one-off because  we have to recognise that this is an ongoing relationship," Lewis stated.

TTOC secretary general Annette Knot said the TTOC executive were extremely proud of Lewis and his initiative that has garnered so much support .

"The TTOC we were really proud that Mr  (Brian) Lewis decided to make this very bold step  with this walk," Knot said, " We are very proud of him but I can't tell you the momentum it has given us   because now we have so many more people very conscious of the Fund. Of course, just the evidence of you being here today says to us that the step he e took was a bold step and we are very happy that he did because we know  it will actually transfer from being cheques today to being actual performances tomorrow and going forward."

Lewis promised the sponsors and the national community that the TTOC will ensure through good accounting practices that all money given to the Fund will go directly to benefiting the athlete and will be transparent and accountable to stake holders.

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has briefed Olympic sponsors in Lausanne on his Olympic Agenda 2020.

The German provided an overview of the 40 recommendations that comprise the reform initiative, which was unanimously approved by the full IOC membership in Monaco last month, as part of the Olympic Agenda 2020 TOPs summit.

"For many decades, the Worldwide TOP Partners have demonstrated the importance of their support for the entire Olympic Movement," Bach said.

"Our Partners were an integral part of the Olympic Agenda 2020 discussion phase throughout 2014.

"As we move to implementation, following the unanimous approval of the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations last month, the Partners, along with the other stakeholders of the Olympic Movement, have an important role to play, and at today's summit we discussed opportunities for further future collaboration."

IOC director general Christophe De Kepper provided further details on the next stage of the Olympic Agenda 2020 process - planning and implementation, then the delegates focused on several key themes including "the uniqueness of the Olympic Games", "athletes" and "Olympus in action".

"The summit has been a great forum to discuss with our valued Partners the next phase of Olympic Agenda 2020," Timo Lumme, managing director of IOC television and marketing services, said.

"A handful of the approved recommendations relate directly to our work with the TOP Partners, but it was clear from today's discussion that their long-term support goes way beyond this and will be essential in realising the overall vision."

Meanwhile, the afternoon was devoted to the Olympic Channel project, which Gianni's Exarches, chief executive of Olympic Broadcasting Services, called one of the "headline recommendations" coming out of Olympic Agenda 2020.

"We were able to continue our discussions with the TOP Partners, but with the knowledge that the Channel project has now been approved," he said.

"We are now out of the starting blocks with the plans for the Channel, and today was an opportunity to share our excitement and enthusiasm for the concept and belief that it will offer opportunities to engage with people, especially young people, all around the world, every day of the year."

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Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis, left, shows his appreciation to 1976 Olympic 100 metres gold medallist Hasely Crawford, after Crawford announced that he would offer his medal and running gear from that race on lease as his contribution to the TTOC’s #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund. Watching on is National Association of Athletics Administrations president Emphraim Serrette. The occasion was a cheque presentation by the Guardian Group to the Fund at the company’s offices in Westmoorings yesterday.

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad January 27, 2015:

In a surprise announcement during a press conference at Guardian Group’s offices yesterday Trinidad and Tobago's first Olympic Gold medalist Hasely Crawford offered his Olympic gold medal along with the vest, pants, socks and sneakers worn when he won Gold in 100m in 1976, to the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC).

This pledge of support to the #10gold24 campaign is to assist in raising funds to further assist athletes.

Trinidad and Tobago’s first Olympic Gold Medalist, stressed the importance of support for athletes He recalled many of the challenges he experienced as an athlete in the 1970’s and lamented on the struggles many Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympic hopefuls still undergo to prepare for international competition.

He congratulated TTOC President Brian Lewis on completing the Trinidad and Tobago  Marathon and his vision of #10gold24 and for establishing  the #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund .

At the press conference Guardian Group announced it will extend  its partnership with the TTOC for another three years and presented a $TT250,000 cheque to the TTOC as a contribution to the #10golds24 athlete welfare and preparation fund.

Colombia’s long distance runner Juan Cardona Rios stopped the clock at two hours, 21 minutes and 13 seconds (2:21.13) to win the 2015 edition of the T&T International Marathon which started at St Mary’s Junction, Freeport and concluded at Whitehall at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain yesterday.

The Colombian running in his third consecutive T&T Marathon out lasted a field of 120 challengers under humid conditions along the 26.2 miles journey.

He won the race in 2013 in 2:23.51 and was third in last year’s edition in 2:26.51.

The course record is held by former multiple winner Pamenos Ballentyne of St Vincent, who clocked 2:15.30 in 2003 and 2:20.57 in 2004.

It was a reversal of positions for the top three runners. Hilary Kimaiyo of Kenya, the 2014 winner (2:23.39) had to settle for second spot and compatriot Mark Chepses who was second in (2;24.09) a year ago, settled for third.

T&T’s Curtis Cox crossed the finish-line in a creditable seventh place in 2:48.12. He was 2005 winner in 2:24.21.

Among the women, it was first time test for champion Truphene Busieni of Kenya (2:55.07), Monica Gonzales of Colombia (2:58.12) and Leah Kigen of Kenya the winner of the event in 2013 (2:52.30) and 2014 in (3:01.13) has to settle for third in this edition behind 3:00.16 seconds.

The best time recorded among women is 2:34.17 set by Denmark’s Gitte Carlshoey back in 2003.

The half marathon which attracted an impressive field of 336 finishers was dominated T&T’s Shayne Barran (1:18.15) and Tonya Nero (1:19:30) in the men’s and women’s division.

The highlight of the race was participation by Brian Lewis, the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) president who used the event to promote T&T’s challenge for ten olympic medals by 2022.

Lewis’ goal was to cross the finish-line at 10:30 am some seven hours after his 26.2 miles walk.

However, he arrived at Whitehall at 10:25 am some six hours and 55 minutes later, but well inside the projected time set.

He started walking at 3:30 am.

Lewis, 54, attracted support from for T&T Olympic medallists Ato Boldon, George Bovell III, Richard Thompson, Jarrin Solomon, Emmanuel Callender, Keshorn Walcott and the likes of Michelle Lee Ahye, Cleopatra Borel are some of the high profile T&T athletes.

T&T 2015 MARATHON RESULTS

MEN
1.      Juan Cardona Rios (Colombia) 2:21:13
2.      Hilary Kimaiyo (Kenya) 2:22:10
3.      Mark Chepses (Kenya) 2:22:17
4.      Andres Malavier (Colombia) 2:23:59
5.      Philemon Kipchlat (Kenya) 2:32:18
6.      Kelvin Johnson (Guyana) 2:40:18
7.      Curtis Cox (TT) 2:48:12
WOMEN
1.      Truphena Busieni (Kenya) 2:55:07
2.      Monica Gonzalez (Colombia) 2:58:12
3.      Leah Kigen (Kenya) 3:00:16 
4.      Christine Regis (TT) 3:19:57
5.      Karen Downey (Canada) 3:28:32
6.      Wendy Shallow (TT) 3:47:56
7.      Leisl Puckerin (TT) 3:51:44

HALF MARATHON

MEN
1.      Shayne Barran (TT) 1:18:15
2.      Lionel Dandrade (Guyana) 1:18:27
3.      Kasper Francis (TT) 1:22:34
4.      Kade Sobers (TT) 1:25:55
WOMEN
1.  Tonya Nero (TT) 1:19:30
2  Christelle Laurent (Guadeloupe) 1:31:33

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Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) President Brian Lewis completed the Trinidad and Tobago International marathon today, as he aimed to raise awareness and funds for the newly launched #10gold24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation initiative.

The initiative is designed to provide financial aid to Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games athletes in the country, helping them to compete at the highest level possible, with the ambition that by 2024 Trinidad and Tobago will achieve 10 or more Olympic gold medals.

The funds are set to support athletes in several ways from direct financial support and health insurance, to medal bonuses and anti-doping education.

Lewis had previously expressed his concern at what he considered a shortfall in sports funding across the nation and by completing his "walk the talk" challenge, he hopes the public support he received translates into greater support for the countries athletes as they target medals at major championships.

""I am glad it [the walk] resonated so deeply with the public and it just goes to show there are still wonderful and tremendous people in this country who want to see the country progress," Lewis said following the marathon, which saw him cheered by supporters chanting "Trinidad and Tobago, we want gold!"

Lewis' marathon lasted for around seven hours, starting in the early hours of the morning in Freeport and coming to a close at Queen's Park Savannah in the country's capital Port of Spain.

Lewis was supported by athletes and supporters throughout his walk, including marathon swimmer Christian Marsden, and although the TTOC President suffered from cramps in the closing stages he was able to embrace the pain and finish.

"I had to dig real deep," said Lewis, who completed the marathon draped in the national flag.

"The pain from the cramps were so severe and after a while it actually felt that I had pulled my left hamstring in the last two miles.

"But quitting is not in my make-up."

Lewis will hope that his marathon will have a lasting effect for Trinidad and Tobago athletes with funds being raised to help the countries elite athletes to compete at the highest level.

Lewis goal prior to the marathon was to raise TTD$500,000 (£51,000/$79,000/€65,000) which will be used to help fund athletes preparing for Rio 2016.

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