1,200 athletes from Hamilton and Michigan kick off CANUSA Games

Evan Cadman walks about10 feet in front of his mom and sister along the path to Bernie Arbour Stadium on the Hamilton mountain. He's anxious to get to his destination.

Cadman, "10-and-a-half,"of Caledonia, is a basketball player for the Hamilton/Canadian team during this year's CANUSA Games. The 56th Olympic-style sporting event puts athletes 18-years and younger from Hamilton and Flint, Michigan in competition together. The two cities share hosting duties by alternating locations each year. This year, it's Hamilton's turn.

"It was really fun last year [in Michigan]," he said, a participant for the second time. "I met new people from the States and met new friends. It was really an experience."

The 1,200 athletes and their families filled the stadium for the opening ceremonies Friday afternoon. 15 different sports will begin Friday evening and continue all day Saturday.

This year's games are dedicated to Jim Bracy, a long-time volunteer and participant, who passed away in January. Irene Bracy, his wife, made the three-hour drive from Flint to Hamilton Friday morning for the first time without her husband. She lit the flame to officially start the games.

"He participated for 56 years," she said. "We were married for 26 years, but then friends for 14 years (before that). All that length of time I was coming with him."

Irene said the CANUSA games are now a family tradition their children played basketball until they became too old.

"As long as he's been part of [the Games], we're proud to be part of it still," she said.