August 29, 2024 (Niagara, Ont.)
In May 2025, Niagara will welcome athletes, managers, coaches, officials, and volunteers from across Ontario for the 44th Ontario Parasport Games. Sport Niagara, the not-for-profit organization established to carry on the sport legacy from the Niagara 2022 Canada Games, is thrilled to be selected as the host of this prestigious event. Between May 29 to June 1, events will be held at sporting facilities across the Niagara region including Canada Games Park and Brock University in Thorold and the Vale Health and Wellness Centre in Port Colborne.
With a focus on attracting and hosting sporting events in Niagara, Sport Niagara is excited to bring this event to the region. “We are extremely excited to continue to advance the legacy of the recent Canada Games in Niagara,” said Doug Hamilton, Board member of Sport Niagara. “Hosting sporting events like this will continue to support sport tourism and economic development in Niagara.”
“As a 12-time participant in the Ontario Parasport Games, it’s a tremendous honour for me to lead the Steering Committee for these Games with so much lived-experience and expertise from the Niagara Region’s disability community,” said three-time Paralympian Jeff Tiessen. “Niagara has such a rich parasport history, and I’m excited for these Games to create even more adapted sport opportunities for individuals with disabilities.”
“The Ontario government is pleased to select Sport Niagara and the Niagara region as the successful bid to host the 2025 Ontario Parasport Games,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “These Games are an exciting opportunity for highly skilled athletes to come together in competition with their peers from across the province. The event will provide a significant impact for the local economy, boost tourism, create jobs, and inspire a new generation of athletes.”
The Ontario Parasport Games were first delivered in 1975 by the City of Cambridge. Since then, the Games have grown to over 500 participants competing in 10+ sports including wheelchair basketball, sledge hockey, goalball and more. The last Ontario ParaSports Games were held in Durham in 2023.