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Information About

Arctic Winter Games




The Arctic Winter Games is an international biennial celebration of circumpolar sports and culture.


BACKGROUND

The Arctic Winter Games were founded in 1969 under the leadership of Governor Walter J. Hickel of Alaska , Stuart M. Hodgson , Commissioner of the Northwest Territories , and Yukon Commissioner James Smith . The idea to "provide a forum where athletes from the ''circumpolar North'' could compete on their own terms, on their own turf" came from Cal Miller, an advisor with the Yukon team at the 1967 Canada Winter Games .

In 1970 in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories , Canada , 500 athletes, trainers and officials came together for the first Arctic Winter Games. The participants came from Northwest Territories , Yukon and Alaska . Since then, the Games have been held on 15 occasions in different places and with ever more participants from more and more places within the Arctic region. The games in 2002 were jointly held in Nuuk , Greenland and Iqaluit , Nunavut , and in 2000 were held in Whitehorse, Yukon , Canada.


GAMES IN 2004

Approximately 2000 athletes, coaches, team staff and officials participated in the 2004 Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray, Alberta , Canada. The 2004 games took place from February 28 through March 6 . Participating delegations include Alaska , Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut , Alberta North, Greenland, Magadan Oblast ( Russia ) Yamalia (Russia), and Lapland (comprised of the Sami People s of Norway , Sweden and Finland . The 2006 Games will be held in Alaska by the Kenai Peninsula Borough.


2004 Events

Competition will be held in Alpine Skiing , Biathlon , Cross-country Skiing , Dene Games (see Dene ), dog Mushing , Figure Skating ,, ice hockey]], Inuit Games (see Inuit ), Short Track Speed Skating , Snowboarding , Snowshoe Biathlon , Snowshoeing (see Snowshoe ), Table Tennis , Volleyball and Wrestling .


HOST CITIES



ARCTIC WINTER GAMES INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE




EXTERNAL LINKS

  • http://www.awg2004.ca/

  • http://www.awg.ca/