Article content
The inaugural YXE Urban Games attracted athletes and artists from around the world to Saskatoon’s Victoria Park over the weekend, where they participated in everything from 3×3 basketball to wakeboarding and roller skating to mural painting and spoken word performances.
“We have Olympians and national team members here,” said Michael Linklater, co-chair of the YXE Urban Games, during the opening ceremony on Friday evening. “And as I look ahead, I know we have future Olympians and future national team members as well.”
Article content
“We are so grateful and We want you all to compete and have as much fun as possible. But it’s so important to understand, especially for the younger ones, that you are all role models. There are so many people who come here to see you play and who would love to be in your shoes.”
Linklater, an award-winning former Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) player, was inspired to bring Urban Games events to Saskatoon after participating in the 2019 World Urban Games in Budapest, Hungary.
He knew immediately that Saskatoon could create its own unique flavor by bringing together world-class talent from around the world to compete while highlighting local sports, arts and culture.
““We want this to evolve into multi-year, multi-sport international games,” Linklater told the crowd gathered Friday night. “This is our first year – and I love being a part of history, and you all are a part of history.”
To celebrate this historic spirit, the opening ceremony featured a wealth of unique community performances, with breakdancers showing off their moves alongside dancers in scarf and jingle dresses, accompanied by Métis fiddler Joe Jackson and the Living Sky Taiko drummers.
Article content
“That’s the strength of Saskatoon,” said Deputy Mayor Darren Hill. “To realize a dream and create a platform and stage to showcase the excellence of the people who live here and who have come here from all over the world.”
“We are bursting with pride.”
StarPhoenix photojournalist Michelle Berg was at the park on Saturday and captured the excitement…
Editor’s recommendations
-
From the schoolyard to the pros: Paige Crozon is at home in the 3X3 FIBA series
-
Urban Canvas Street Party: Artists from Saskatoon paint the city
The Saskatoon Star Phoenix has a Afternoon headlines Newsletter delivered daily to your inbox to keep you up to date with the most important news of the day. Click here to subscribe.
With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism you depend on, our website is your go-to source for breaking news. So be sure to bookmark thestarphoenix.com and subscribe to our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
Share this article on your social network
