Premier Welcomes Athletes, Visitors to Nova Scotia

Premier Darrell Dexter today, Feb. 11, extended a warm Nova Scotia welcome to the athletes, coaches and visitors arriving in the province for the Halifax 2011 Canada Games.

"We have spent months preparing for this day and now that it's finally here, I want to welcome everyone to what promises to be a fantastic two weeks," said Premier Dexter. "Thousands of people are coming from across the country, and I just know that they're going to have the time of their lives here in Nova Scotia."

On Thursday, the premier was on hand at the Woodside ferry terminal to greet excited members of Team Nova Scotia as they arrived, gear in tow, from across the province.

The premier and the athletes took the ferry across to Halifax, chanting and cheering as the vessel pulled up to an enthusiastic crowd of supporters on the dock. The group then marched through downtown Halifax to the athletes village.

"The enthusiasm of these young athletes is infectious," Premier Dexter said. "I encourage everyone to embrace the spirit of the Games and come out to support Team Nova Scotia, and all the provinces and territories, as the country's next generation of Olympians compete for gold."

The roughly 150 Team Nova Scotia athletes who arrived Thursday will compete in a variety of events during Week 1 of the Canada Games. The second wave of athletes will arrive in Halifax on Feb. 19.

The Halifax 2011 Canada Games is the largest sporting event held in the province. About 3,500 athletes, coaches and managers will take part in more than 20 sports in venues across Halifax Regional Municipality, Windsor and the Wentworth Valley.

Artists from across the country will also take part in the Games at the National Arts Program and Gala on Feb. 26 in Halifax.