Documents

QUEBEC'S INSTITUTIONAL PRESENCE ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTS SCENE

Denis Paquet, Sports advisor for the DSAP, Quebec

Abstract

Quebec, French land in North America, officially participates in the international sporting scene. Quebec's influence on the world scene takes the form of activities sponsored by the International Organisation of the Francophonie (AIF) and the Quebec government's direct participation in the Conference of the Ministers of Youth and Sport of the French-speaking countries (CONFEJES), in addition to others. Quebec's strongest presence in the international sports scene, however, is indisputably provided by its direct participation in the Francophonie Games. This presentation aims to establish that Quebec's institutional participation in events of stature qualifies it for status as a sport country. As one of Canada's ten provinces, agreements with Canadian political and sporting structures had to be negotiated to allow for Quebec's representation in the international sports scene. Thanks to innovative sporting executives, sports originated in Quebec, such as intercrosse and kin-ball, spread throughout the world, thus opening a second avenue for organizations from Quebec to participate directly in managing the sport on the international scene. Quebec's experience offers a model of certain avenues of action that are potentially useful for other communities eager for recognition as sport countries.