About the Games of La Francophonie

The Games of La Francophonie

Created in 1987 during the Summit of La Francophonie in the city of Québec and held every 4 years under the theme “Solidarity, Excellence and Diversity,” the Games of La Francophonie are the only major international games that feature both sports and cultural competitions.

Approximately 3,000 athletes and artists aged 18 to 35 from member and observer states and governments of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (French only) participate.

The first Games were held in Morocco in 1989. Since then, the Games have been held in the following countries:

• France (1994)
• Madagascar (1997)
• Canada (2001)
• Niger (2005)
• Lebanon (2009)
• France (2013)
• Côte d’Ivoire (2017)
• Democratic Republic of Congo (2023)

The Comité international des Jeux de la Francophonie (French only), reporting to the International Organisation of La Francophonie (French only), is responsible for organizing the Games in co-operation with the host country’s national organizing committee.

Team Canada

Since Canada and the governments of Quebec and New Brunswick are members of the international Francophonie, the Canadian delegation to the Games can consist of up to 3 teams:

• Canada
• Canada–Quebec
• Canada–New Brunswick

On behalf of the Government of Canada, the Department of Canadian Heritage is responsible for organizing and coordinating all activities related to the participation and support of athletes and artists who represent Team Canada.

Team Canada athletes are chosen according to a selection process determined by national sports organizations, based on excellence criteria specific to each association, and in keeping with the procedure established by the Comité international des Jeux de la Francophonie (CIJF). Team Canada artists are chosen through a national cultural competition organized by the Canada Council for the Arts. A jury appointed by the CIJF selects the final candidates.

"Francophonie" does not necessarily mean "Francophone." As with the Commonwealth Games, athletes and artists are selected to be a part of Team Canada at the Games of La Francophonie based on their performance excellence, not their linguistic affiliation. This means that there are athletes and artists whose first language is not French.