By Tom Degun

New Toronto_15_logo_without_script_August_27August 27 - Ajax in the eastern part of the city will host the baseball and softball competitions for the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, it has been announced.


The Pan American Games are the biggest multi-sport event where baseball and softball still feature, after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted them off the Olympic sports programme for London 2012.

"On behalf of Toronto 2015, I am delighted to confirm that the Town of Ajax will be hosting baseball and softball during the 2015 Games," said Toronto 2015 chief executive Ian Troop.

"We appreciate the collaboration and hard work put in by Council and the community to ensure the facility will be used long after the Games."

Although the town is the confirmed location for the two sports, there is currently no venue in place for them.

Toronto Pan_Am_Park_August_27Marathon swimming, triathlon and water skiing will take place at Ontario Place, part of the Toronto Pan Am Park cluster

However, Toronto 2015 are set to work with Ajax, the province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to develop a stadium that will host baseball and softball during the Games and also be used in legacy for both recreational and amateur athletes once the event ends.

Toronto 2015 will use a cluster system for venues which brings sports together in one location rather than being spread out, as previously stated in the Bid Book.

The largest cluster will be the Toronto Pan Am Park at Exhibition Place, which will host more than a dozen sports including road cycling, triathlon, squash and rugby sevens.

The other major cluster for the event, the University of Toronto in Scarborough will be the Pan Am Complex, staging aquatic sports such as swimming and diving as well as field sports including modern pentathlon.

Mississauga Pan_am_Complex_August_27Combative sports including judo and taekwondo will be hosted at the Mississauga Pan Am Complex

The Mississauga Pan Am Complex will serve as the centre for combative sports while Markham Pan Am Complex will host numerous events including water polo, badminton and table tennis.

The Etobicoke Pan Am Complex cluster will host archery, BMX cycling and bowling.

Field hockey, roller sports and handball will be staged at the University of Toronto (Downtown) Pan Am Complex.

In addition to these clusters, 12 venues are located outside the boundaries of the Greater Toronto Area.

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