As World Masters Games 2017 marks two years to go until the event kicks off on 21 April 2017, individual sports are upping preparations to welcome 13,000 international competitors to Auckland, New Zealand.

Canoeing, which also includes para-sport options, has six disciplines on the competition schedule. Canoe Slalom will be located at Wero, a new state of the art venue in Manukau. Takapuna Beach will be a notable highlight for Waka Ama Marathon and Canoe Ocean Ski. Whilst Lake Pupuke will host Canoe Polo, Dragon Boating, Flatwater and Waka Ama.

With a total number of 25,000 athletes expected to compete in 2017, roughly half of which will be New Zealand competitors and half from other countries around the globe, World Masters Games is the world’s largest multi-sport competition for masters age athletes.

Reflecting on the sheer size and scale of the international event, World Masters Games 2017 Organising Committee Chief Executive Jennah Wootten says:

“The last major gathering of athletes from multiple sports in New Zealand was 25 years ago when the 1990 Commonwealth Games hit town. They seemed big at the time but a quick look at the stats shows just how much bigger the World Masters Games 2017 will be on just about every level.”

Ms Wootten says the two years to go milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on progress, but not for too long.

“The clock is definitely ticking and we are ever mindful of the technical complexity of running individual competitions for 28 different sports in 45 competition venues across 10 days. Our goal is to deliver on every level a superior Games, both for the 13,000 competitors who will travel internationally to compete, and for the good of our reputation as a host nation.”

“We are working closely with our Airline Partner, Air New Zealand, to ensure ease of travel to New Zealand through its international network of more than 25 destinations throughout Australia, the US, Canada, the UK, Asia, Pacific Islands and South America. In addition, the airline’s extensive domestic route network means international visitors have great access to explore the rest of New Zealand before or after the Games.”

“As we celebrate two years, we hope people will get behind the Games effort, and start registering their interest – either as participants, officials or perhaps volunteers. We’ll be welcoming athletes from 100 countries to our country for the World Masters Games. We know New Zealanders will welcome these visitors in true kiwi style, and no doubt put up some stiff competition to keep the Games interesting.”

Links

• To learn more about World Masters Games 2017 visit www.worldmastersgames2017.co.nz.
• View a map of the World Masters Games 2017 venues.
• To mark this milestone WMG2017 is running a competition to win a trip to New Zealand – find out more. (Competition closes 5pm NZDT, Thursday, 30 April)