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The CANUSA Games are an annual contest, primarily for athletes age 18 and under, between the sister cities of Flint, Michigan, USA, and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The Games are the longest-running amateur sports competition in North America.[1] The games are held in alternative locations, with Hamilton, Ontario hosting in odd-numbered years.[2]


As a result of the Flint Olympian Games held in Flint, Michigan in July 1957, the Flint officials of the Games wanted a city, of similar size and population, to compete with on a yearly basis. Hamilton was selected, which birthed the "CANUSA" games, whose name was derived from combining the names Canada and USA - CAN/USA.

The Games began in August 1958, and consisted of 200 athletes (from each city) competing in seven different sports. The Games have grown considerably, which is supported by the more than 1,600 athletes from each city competing in 17 different competitive sports, including basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, darts, golf, track and field, and swimming.[2] An estimated 25,000 people have participated in the games in their 50 years.[3]

Opening Ceremonies[edit]

The Opening Ceremonies of the CANUSA Games are arguably the most highlighted piece of the weekend. One of these highlights is most certainly the running relay which covers the distance between Flint and Hamilton - 245 miles. Departing the night before from the visiting city, relay runners carry the torch over the border, which is one of the longest international runs in all of North America. The torch is run into the venue in which the opening ceremonies are held, which represents the official start of the Games.[4]

To symbolize the relationship between the sister cities, the national anthems (from both nations) are sung by everyone present at the Opening Ceremonies. The Friendship Trophy is also given by the Mayor of the host city to the Mayor of the visiting city as a symbol of friendship and peace.[4]


Edition Host Notes
1957 Flint, Michigan, USA The Flint Olympian Games, a prelude to the first CANUSA Games
1958 Flint, Michigan, USA The first CANUSA Games
1959 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada The First CANUSA Games held in Hamilton
1960 Flint, Michigan, USA The first Harold Webster Trophy was awarded (Track & Field)
1961 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1962 Flint, Michigan, USA
1963 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1964 Flint, Michigan, USA
1965 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1966 Flint, Michigan, USA The first Jimmy Thompson Memorial Award Trophy was awarded (swimming)
1967 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1968 Flint, Michigan, USA The first Bernie Arbour Memorial Trophy was awarded (baseball)
1969 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada The first Ivan Miller Award was awarded (volunteer)
1970 Flint, Michigan, USA
1971 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1972 Flint, Michigan, USA
1973 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1974 Flint, Michigan, USA
1975 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1976 Flint, Michigan, USA
1977 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1978 Flint, Michigan, USA
1979 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1980 Flint, Michigan, USA
1981 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1982 Flint, Michigan, USA
1983 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1984 Flint, Michigan, USA
1985 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1986 Flint, Michigan, USA
1987 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1988 Flint, Michigan, USA
1989 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1990 Flint, Michigan, USA
1991 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1992 Flint, Michigan, USA
1993 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1994 Flint, Michigan, USA The Games' first paid Business Administrator
1995 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1996 Flint, Michigan, USA The first W. Clarence Willson Memorial Trophy was awarded (girls basketball)
1997 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1998 Flint, Michigan, USA
1999 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada The first Marg Brokenshire Memorial Award was given (Hamilton person that "goes the extra mile")
2000 Flint, Michigan, USA
2001 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2002 Flint, Michigan, USA
2003 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2004 Flint, Michigan, USA
2005 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2006 Flint, Michigan, USA
2007 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada The first Bill Sturrup Memorial Trophies were awarded (golf)
2008 Flint, Michigan, USA
2009 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2010 Flint, Michigan, USA
2011 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Flint wins its first road Games since 1959
2012 Flint, Michigan, USA Flint wins third consecutive Games


  1. ^ Whitwell, Carli. "CANUSA games kick off", The Hamilton Spectator, 2008-08-08. Retrieved on 2008-12-05.
  2. ^ a b "Canusa Games 2007". Retrieved 2008-11-30. 
  3. ^ Holmes, Kevin. "CANUSA Games celebrate 50 years", ABC12 News, 2007-05-09. Retrieved on 2008-12-05.
  4. ^ a b CANUSA Games History