Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

Whitehorse (Mar 13/00) - At the 2000 Arctic Winter Games, Gail Nesbitt had the job of managing a mission staff of 12, eight cultural delegates, and 296 NWT athletes and coaches.

The NWT team Chef de Mission, who is a Sport North consultant, has been involved with the Games since 1990. She said this year was the largest AWG ever held, and one of the most successful.

"It's been run very well. Any comments I've heard from athletes and coaches have been positive," said Nesbitt.

"The host society for these Arctic Winter Games have done an excellent job in preparing and co-ordinating this huge event."

Because of the size of the NWT contingent, Nesbitt was running non-stop during Games week to ensure everyone was fed, transported, disciplined (if need be), and cared for.

"Once we get here, we're responsible for them. Overseeing this many people makes for an incredibly busy week," said Nesbitt.

She's quick to point out that each of the eight teams had to do months of preparation before getting to Whitehorse. All in all, though, she agrees that the effort is well worth it.

She said the Games increase the well-being of Northern youth by offering them an event they can call their own.

"The uniqueness of the Arctic Winter Games gives the athletes that live above the 60th parallel an opportunity to play on a level playing field," said Nesbitt.

"The goal of these games is mass participation as compared to, for example, the Canada Games which is an elite competition."

She said the Arctic Winter Games were created in order to develop a set of games for Northern athletes that take into account the unique geography and cultural heritage of the North.

"The traditional, social, and cultural aspects of the Arctic Winter Games play a key role in ensuring they will endure," said Nesbitt.

The Arctic Winter Games International Committee, which is composed of appointed representatives from all participating jurisdictions except Russia and Nunavik-Quebec, oversees the long-term development of the Arctic Winter Games.

The committee has chosen a dual venue for 2002. Iqaluit, Nunavut, and Nuuk, Greenland, will host the Games. Nesbitt says the decision means it will be difficult to plan events, travel costs will mean few spectators make the trip, and some of the 19 sports currently offered may have to be dropped because of limited facilities.

Greenland has no ice surfaces, so events such as hockey and figure skating will be held in Iqaluit.

Indoor sports and events such as dog mushing may be held in Greenland. Nesbitt said the exact breakdown has yet to be determined.

"They're still trying to work out the details but, for sure, each host society will have a lot of work to do to develop their own strategy for 2002," said Nesbitt.