THE CATOWA

OTTAWA - May 1, 2003

Today, Mr. Michael A Chambers, President of the C.O.C. (Canadian Olympic Committee) announced that the Canadian Tug-of-War Association had been formally accepted as a Class E member of that organization.

In the late 1800’s, the sport of tug-of-war was a regular part of the Olympic Games and continued on the roster until the end of the first world war.

In 1999, the Tug of War International Federation (T.W.I.F.) , made application to the International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.), for recognition of the sport of Tug of War again.

At their annual meeting in June of 2000, the, I.O.C. Executive Committee granted T.W.I.F. recognition, and they were subsequently invited back into the Olympic Family.

In November 2002, the Canadian Amateur Tug of War Association (C.A.T.O.W.A.) as the National Sports Federation and governing body for the sport of Tug War in Canada, made application to the Canadian Olympic Committee, as a Class “E” Member.

Olympic Class “E” members are those sport federations not yet in the Olympic Games or the Pan Am Games, but are recognized by the International World Games Association and are part of the Olympic movement. Class “E” membership also gives the Canadian Amateur Tug of War Association 1 vote at the Canadian Olympic Committee annual general meetings.

On Sunday June 1, 2003 at a meeting of the Board of Directors of C.A.T.O.W.A., Mr. Bill Scanlan, was named as the representative for the sport of Tug of War in Canada within the Olympic family.

The Class “E” membership recognition, by the Canadian Olympic Committee is a significant step for CATOWA in the promotion of our sport, and with the increased awareness among the general public , perhaps Tug of War will one day return to the Olympic Games.

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