A note from the 1969 News Media Director
Forty years ago in Ottawa, I was an Information Officer for Health Canada who at the time was responsible for Fitness & Amateur Sport.
Finley MacDonald from Halifax had been appointed the President of the 'First Canada Summer Games'. He contacted the Director of Fitness & Amateur Sport asking if they could help by supplying expertise in setting up the news media requirement for the games.
In a working capacity I attended the First Quebec Winter Games, the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France and the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. In 1968 I directed the press media operation at the Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia. Having acquired this experience, Fitness and Amateur Sport felt that I could fill the bill as the News Media Director for the First Canada Summer Games, which was to get underway August 15th for 10 days, in 1969.
 |
| Hank LeClair, Press-Media Director, welcomes The Right Honorable Roland Michener, Governon General of Canada to the press office of the first Canada Summer Games in Halifax-1969 |
So be it, off to Halifax to tackle this task five weeks before the Games were to start. The usual lead up to the major games function is two years, therefore, it would be full speed ahead to put this together for more than 300 press reporters and for the 2,600 athletes expected to attend and take part in the games.
With help of hired local staff and many volunteers we proceeded to accomplish our goal of facilitating the media's job while at the Games. I saw the Canada Games as a two part assignment. Pre-games, promoting the Halifax-Dartmouth area and preparing the way for the press, radio and television reporters. During the Games I had the responsibility for all services such as press accreditation, setting up photo pools, transportation, parking, hospitality and social aspects.
One of our first important visitors to visit our press facility was Governor General Roland Michener. It was such a pleasure to show this congenial man the press media facility and explain the task at hand.
My wife came to visit with our young son, unfortunately, I did not have much time if any to spend with them. I was forgiven to some extent when I arranged for the three of us to sail on the famous Bluenose Schooner along with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Games officials. That was a memorable experience.
The First Canada Summer Games were very successful thanks to the interest of the Nova Scotia people and their many volunteers.
Although a non-stop heavy duty assignment for five weeks, I very much enjoyed the task and the many friendly east coast people that I met.
Forty years later the Games will soon be coming back in Halifax, where I'm certain they will be another great success.
Read more stories