In association with its Esso fuel brand, this marks the first time Imperial will directly sponsor a major multi-sports Games in Canada.

The firm has one of the largest fuel and retail networks in Canada with around 1,750 Esso-branded service stations which will help to fuel the Toronto 2015 Games' fleet of Chevrolet vehicles, as well as buses and generators, according to organisers.

"We're pleased to welcome Imperial to the Toronto 2015 Games family," said Saäd Rafi, chief executive of Toronto 2015.

"Imperial and its local Esso retail stations are well-known for supporting amateur sport at the grassroots level in communities across Canada.

"They have deep roots in Ontario and it's wonderful they're supporting a Games where they started out more than a century ago."

The firm has a longstanding association with amateur hockey development in Canada, including supporting the debut of women's hockey at the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games.

In 2001, the company also sponsored the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in Edmonton.

Retail manager at Imperial, Andrew Mackay, said: "We look forward to helping bring the excitement of these Games and the accomplishments of all participating athletes to Canadians in communities from coast to coast."

Imperial joins the likes of Siemens, Allstream, Beanfield Metroconnect, Coca-Cola, Pattison Outdoor Advertising, FUSE Marketing Group, McKesson Canada, Molson Coors, Royal Canadian Mint, Scalar and Schenker of Canada Ltd as official suppliers of Toronto 2015.

The Toronto 2015 Pan American Games are due to take place from July 10 to 26, while the Parapan American Games are scheduled for August 7 to 15.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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