The 2024 edition of the biennial CANADA 55+ GAMES was hosted in Quebec City from August 27 to 30, 2024. Over 2,000 senior athletes competed in 20 different disciplines during the four-day event, proving that age is no barrier to pushing limits and having fun.
This year’s event saw a record number of participants. Organized by Réseau FADOQ, the games brought together over 3,000 people for both competitions and activities, creating memorable moments and stories for everyone involved.
The first Canada 55+ Games were held in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1996, and have been held every two years since, except for 2020, when the Kamloops, British Columbia edition was postponed to 2022 due to the pandemic. This year marked the first time Quebec hosted the games, with the province also boasting its largest contingent yet—400 participants.
Athletes aged 55 and older competed in a variety of events that ranged from physically active sports to intellectually stimulating games. Some of the featured disciplines included slow-pitch softball, sandbag baseball, bridge, curling, golf, hockey, swimming, floor shuffleboard, pickleball, and tennis. Former Olympic athlete Pierre Harvey served as the ambassador for the 2024 Games.
Ontario topped the medal standings, winning 211 medals, including 81 gold and 77 silver. Alberta followed closely with 199 medals, while the host province, Quebec, secured 181. Other provinces and territories also made their mark, with Saskatchewan earning 79 medals, Yukon 59, British Columbia 57, Nova Scotia 47, Manitoba 22, New Brunswick 22, Northwest Territories 13, Prince Edward Island 5, and Newfoundland and Labrador 2.
Over the years, the popularity of the Canada 55+ Games has significantly grown, attracting attention from municipalities eager to host the event for its positive economic impact and the lasting legacy it creates, which energizes local senior communities.
The CANADA 55+ GAMES is a non-governmental, non-profit, volunteer-driven organization that offers more than just athletic competition. Participants can also enjoy social events such as the opening and closing ceremonies, a banquet, entertainment, and dances. While gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to winners, the main emphasis of the games is on the social and community aspect.
Source: Canadian 55+ Games
