Athletes participating approx. 2000 | Motto Join — Feel — Jump | |
Teams participating 9 territories Alaska Greenland Northern Alberta Northwest Territories Nunavik Québec Nunavut Sápmi Yamal-Nenets Yukon | ||
The 2016 Arctic Winter Games, officially known with the slogan "Join — Feel — Jump", is a winter multi-sport event which took place in Nuuk, Greenland, between 6–12 March 2016. The elected host city was announced on 14 September 2012 by the Arctic Winter Games International Committee (AWGIC) in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.
Contents
The Arctic Winter Games is the world's largest multisport and cultural event for young people of the Arctic. The Games is an international biennial celebration of circumpolar sports and culture held for a week, each time with a different nation or region as the host. AWG celebrates sports, social interaction and culture. The Games contributes to creating an awareness on cultural diversity, and develops athletes to participate in the competitions with the focus on fair play. The Games binds the Arctic countries together and includes traditional games such as Arctic sports and Dené games.
Over 2,000 athletes from nine teams (Alaska, Greenland, Northern Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavik Québec, Nunavut, Sápmi, Yamal-Nenets and Yukon) participated in the games.
Culture
The Arctic Winter Games celebrates culture and creates in the participants an awareness of cultural similarities and dissimilarities. Cultural exchange and social interaction are important parts of the Games. Each participating country or region contributes with performances in dance, song, music, plays, or art. These cultural events reflect the traditional as well as the modern cultures of the Arctic.
Organization
The Government of Greenland, the Municipality of Sermersooq and the business community of Greenland are the owners and the hosts of the AWG2016. Led by a General Manager, the day-to-day operations and the practical work are handled by the AWG2016 Secretariat.
In September 2013, Maliina Abelsen was appointed as head of the Nuuk 2016 Organizing Committee.
Mascot
2016's mascot is a Seal named "Kuluk". Out of 228 different suggestions for the naming of the mascot competition, the name "Kuluk" won and was appointed by the steering committee.
Sports
15 sport disciplines are scheduled in the 2018 Arctic Winter Games program. The 4 skiing sports are alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. The 2 racquet sports are badminton and table tennis. The other 9 sports are Arctic sports, basketball, Dene games, Ice hockey, Indoor soccer, Primitive biathlon, Snowshoeing, Volleyball and Wrestling
Excluded events
A number of events have been excluded to the programme due to the lack of facilities and expertise.
Hodgson Trophy
At each Arctic Winter Games, the AWG International Committee presents the Hodgson Trophy to the contingent whose athletes best exemplify the ideals of fair play and team spirit. Team members also receive a distinctive pin in recognition of their accomplishment.