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I love the buzz and excitement that comes from hosting a big community event, and it doesn’t get much bigger than hosting a multi-sport games at the international level.
From January 29th until February 4th, our region will be the host to over 2,000 athletes as they compete in 20 sports to make their dreams come true – win a medal amongst their peers from all across the circumpolar north.
Competing not just in Fort McMurray, the excitement will spread to other parts of our region as we will be hosting events in our rural communities as well.
The team at Your McMurray Magazine is incredibly proud of this special commemorative edition and our sponsorship of the Arctic Winter Games. We’ve worked closely with the Games team to put out this souvenir edition filled from cover to cover with all the information you need to make the most of the Games. Whether you’re interested in watching the sporting events, or taking in some of the cultural activities, you’ll get what you need within these pages. We have schedules (although please check awg2023.org for the most up-to-date information), venue maps, sport information and more!
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You’ll also notice a lot of Games partners throughout this edition of YMM. The Games are not possible without all of the generosity of our business community. We welcome each organization and company to the YMM pages, and we celebrate your contributions to ensuring success for not just the athletes, but also in showcasing our beautiful region.
Of course, you can’t have an event of such magnitude without an army of volunteers! Without the over 1,500 volunteers helping put on these Games, none of this would be possible. A huge thank-you to each and every one of you – whether you sit on the Board of Directors, are with a company that is sponsoring the Games, a committee chair, or a volunteer giving your time at one of the many sports or venues – your contributions are vital. Work begins four years in advance of hosting a Games and all of that hard work will no doubt be worth it. You are the true champions!
Good luck to all of the athletes, and a big hearty Wood Buffalo welcome to all of our guests! We hope you enjoy our communities just as much as we do, and get to see first-hand the big sky spirit we all know shines brighter than our majestic northern lights!
It’s TIME TO SHINE and I can’t wait to see the magic happen!
Krista Balsom
Editor-in-Chief/Publisher
About the author
Author Profile
Krista Balsom
Born and raised on Random Island, Newfoundland, Krista Balsom grew up dreaming big. Moving to Fort McMurray in 2001 and attending Westwood Community High School and Keyano College before heading to the University of Ottawa to study political science and then public relations at Algonquin College, Krista returned in 2009 after working on Parliament Hill as a legislative assistant, to work and put down further roots in Fort McMurray.
