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Arctic Winter Games

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arctic Winter Games
Arctic Winter Games Logo
First event1970 in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Occur every2 years
Last event2024 Arctic Winter Games held in the Mat-Su Valley, Alaska
PurposeSports for the Arctic
PresidentJohn Rodda [1]
Websitearcticwintergames.org

The Arctic Winter Games are a biennial multi-sport and indigenous cultural event involving circumpolar peoples residing in communities or countries bordering the Arctic Ocean.

History

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The Arctic Winter Games were founded in 1969 under the leadership of Governor Walter J. Hickel of Alaska, Stuart M. Hodgson, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, and Yukon Commissioner James Smith. The idea to "provide a forum where athletes from the circumpolar North could compete on their own terms, on their own turf" came from Cal Miller, an advisor with the Yukon team at the 1967 Canada Winter Games.

In 1970 in Yellowknife, Canada, 500 athletes, trainers and officials came together for the first Arctic Winter Games. The participants came from the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alaska. Participants now come from Alaska, Northern Alberta, Yukon, Nunavut, Nunavik, Northwest Territories, Greenland, Finland and Norway. The games in 2002 were the first jointly hosted Arctic Winter Games, by Nuuk, Greenland, and Iqaluit, Nunavut. During the 2023 Games, Prince William spoke virtually with nine participants.[2] Participants now come from Alaska, Northern Alberta, Yukon, Nunavut, Nunavik, Northwest Territories, Greenland, Finland and Norway.

Designed to celebrate the unique sports and cultural heritage of the Arctic, the Games showcases a diverse range of competitions, traditional sports, and cultural events. With a strong emphasis on fostering friendship, cultural exchange, and athletic excellence, the Arctic Winter Games has become a platform for showcasing the talents and traditions of northern communities.

The next Arctic Winter Games take place in Whitehorse, Yukon[3] from March 8-15, 2026.[4]

Nations

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  1. Canada - five regions (Alberta North, Northwest Territories, Nunavik, Nunavut, Yukon)
  2. United States - one region (Alaska)
  3. Greenland
  4. Sápmi - the region stretches over four countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland

Contingents

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Since 2004 the same nine contingents have participated in the Arctic Winter Games. Another four contingents have taken part in the games throughout the games' history: Russia, Magadan, Tyumen and Chukotka. In the table below is an overview of each contingent's appearances throughout the games.[5][6][7] Prior to the 2000 Arctic Winter Games Nunavut was part of the Northwest Territories. After division in 1999, Nunavut competed as separate contingent.

Contingent Year
70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 23 24
Alaska X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Northwest Territories X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Yukon X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Nunavik — X X X — — — — X — — — — — — X X X X X X X X X X X X
Alberta North — — — — — — — — X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Greenland — — — — — — — — — — X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Russia — — — — — — — — — — — X — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Magadan — — — — — — — — — — — — X X X X X X — — — — — — — — —
Tyumen — — — — — — — — — — — — X X X — — — — — — — — — — — —
Chukotka — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — X X — — — — — — — — — —
Nunavut — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — X X X X X X X X X X X X
Sápmi — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — X X X X X X X X X X
Yamal — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — X X X X X X X X — —

Editions

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An athlete performing a two-foot high kick at the 2008 Arctic Winter Games

Host cities have been in Canada, the United States, and Greenland.[8]

The Arctic Circle, currently at roughly 66° north of the Equator, defines the boundary of the Arctic seas and lands
A political map showing land ownership within the Arctic region

Hodgson Trophy

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The Hodgson trophy for fair play and team spirit is awarded at the end of every games. The trophy is named for Stuart Milton Hodgson, former Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.[9]

The past winners of the trophy are:[9]

Year(s) Winner
1978 Alaska
1980–1988 Yukon
1990 Alaska
1992 Northwest Territories
1994 Greenland
1996 Northwest Territories
1998 Yukon
2000 Nunavut
2002 Greenland
2004 Nunavut
2006 Alaska
2008 Nunavut
2010 Alaska
2012 Nunavut
2014 Greenland
2016 & 2018 Alaska
2020 AWG2020 Host Society Volunteers & Staff
2023 Yukon
2024 Greenland

Arctic Winter Games International Committee

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The Arctic Winter Games International Committee consists of the following people[1]

  • John Rodda - Alaska, President
  • John Flynn - Yukon, Past President
  • Ian Laegraee - Northwest Territories, Secretary
  • Leigh Goldie - Alberta, Vice President
  • Marie Cairns - Yukon, director
  • Karl Davidsen - Greenland, Director
  • John Estle - Alaska, Joint Interim - Technical Director
  • Jane Arychuk - Northwest Territories, director
  • Alison Brown - Northwest Territories - Joint Interim - Technical Director
  • Kyle Seely - Nunavut, director
  • Mariele dePuter - Nunavut, director
  • Don Wilson - Alberta, Treasurer
  • Moira Lassen - Yukon, Executive Director (Ex-Officio)

Sports disciplines

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A total of 29 sports have been represented at the Arctic Winter Games. Arctic Sports, badminton, cross country skiing, ice hockey and volleyball are the only sports to be featured in all editions of the Arctic Winter Games.[10]

The table below shows the sports and the years in which they have been a part of the Arctic Winter Games programme.

Sport Year
70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 23 24
 Alpine skiing — X — — — — — — — — — — X X — X X X X — 13 13 13 13 — X X
 Archery — — X — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — X X
 Arctic sports d d X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 35 35 35 35 35 35 X X
 Badminton X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 13 X 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 X
 Basketball X X X X X X X — X X X X X X X X X X X 2 2 2 2 2 2 X X
 Biathlon — — X — — — — — X X X X X X X X — X X 14 14 14 14 14 14 X X
 Boxing X — X — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Broomball — — — — — — — — — X — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
 Cross-country skiing X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 24 24 24 24 24 24 X X
 Curling X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 2 2 2 3 — 2 X X
 Dene games — — — — — — — — — — X X X X X X X X X 24 24 24 24 24 24 X X
 Dog mushing — — — — — — — — — — X X X X X X X X X 6 6 6 6 — 6 — —
 Figure skating X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X — X X 13 13 13 13 — 13 X X
 Freestyle skiing — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 8 — — — — — —
 Futsal — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 5 5 X X
 Gymnastics — — X — — — X — X X X X X X X X X X X 6 6 6 6 — 6 X X
 Ice hockey X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 3 3 3 3 2 3 X X
 Indoor soccer — — — — — X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 5 5 5 5 — — — —
 Judo — X X X X X X — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
 Shooting X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X — — — — — — — — — — — —
 Short track speed skating — — — — — — — X X X — — X X X X X X X 20 20 20 20 — 20 X X
 Snowboarding — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — X X X X 20 20 20 20 16 20 X X
 Snowshoe biathlon — — — — X X X X X X X X X X — X — X X 14 14 14 14 14 14 X X
 Snowshoeing — — X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 14 14 14 14 14 14 X X
 Swimming — — d — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
 Table tennis X X X X X X X — — — — — X X X — X X X 14 14 12 12 12 12 X X
 Volleyball X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 2 2 2 2 2 2 X X
Winter triathlon — — — — — — — X X X X — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
 Wrestling — X X X X X — — — — X X X X X X X X X 25 25 25 25 26 25 X X
X = The sport was featured in this Arctic Winter Games.
12 = The sport was featured in this Arctic Winter Games. The number indicates the amount of medal-giving events in that sport.
d = Demonstration sport with no medal-giving events.
P = The sport is planned to be a part of an upcoming edition of the Arctic Winter Games.
— = The sport did not feature in this edition of the Arctic Winter Games.

Arctic Winter Games alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Arctic Winter Games International Committee". Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  2. ^ Davison, Janet (February 12, 2023), The royals have their causes, but how much difference can they make?, CBC News, retrieved June 4, 2023
  3. ^ Arctic Winter Games 2024 to be hosted in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska
  4. ^ "Mat-Su 2024 Arctic Winter Games". Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Arctic Winter Games International Committee (2006). "Medal standings". Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-01.
  6. ^ "50th Anniversary of the Arctic Winter Games" (PDF). arcticwintergames.net. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  7. ^ "About the Arctic Winter Games". arcticwintergames.net. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Games and Galleries". Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Hodgson Trophy". Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  10. ^ "ULU News Gallery". Arcticwintergames.org. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
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