Ontario Summer Games starting today in London will 'feel like the Olympics'

As the Ontario Summer Games get ready to kick off today in London, general manager Dave De Kelver likes to keep in mind that this event has been seven years in the making. 

"It's an exciting time for us," he said. "We're finally here but it's been planning in stages for a long time." 

In 2017, London won the bid to host the 2020 Games, a four-day event that draws young athletes in 18 sports.

As the 2020 Games approached, though, COVID-19 came calling, forcing the event to be cancelled and later rescheduled for this summer. Now, the London Games is running concurrently with the 2024 Paris Olympics.

De Kelver doesn't see this as a disadvantage for these Games, which run though Sunday. 

"Actually, it's great timing for us," he said, "because a week ago these kids were probably watching the opening ceremonies in Paris and they will experience their own because we will do an opening ceremonies that is Olympic-style. They will march past mom and dad, give the wave and go out onto the field. To a 12- to 18-year-old kid, it will feel like the Olympics."

The opening ceremony on Thursday begins at 6 p.m. at Alumni Stadium at Western University and will feature a performance by singer Rêve.

De Kelver expects the opening ceremony will draw about 9,000 people.

The Summer Games athletes, ages 12 to 18, will compete at venues across the city and in the surrounding area. All the events are free for spectators. 

Western University will host women's hockey and rugby, while Fanshawe College will host basketball and softball. Cycling will roll through Springbank Park. 

Historic Labatt Memorial Park will host baseball and canoeing will happen at Fanshawe Lake. 

Outside London, the quarry at St. Marys will be the site of the swimming leg in