“The Committee, at the direction of the political leaders responsible for the Games has maintained the total participation numbers for 2012 at levels similar to previous Games,” said Gerry Thick, AWGIC president.

The total number of participants for the 2012 Games has been set at 1,952. The only significant change in the sport menu is the elimination of Freestyle Skiing from the Games program. 

The low levels of participation at the 2010 Games was a determining factor in this decision.

The Committee also completed a review of its sport participation policies and agreed that it will move towards a maximum of two categories for each gender in all sports as early as 2014. Cross country skiing and indoor soccer were identified as two sports that might be impacted by this decision.

Whitehorse is hosting the next Arctic Winter Games in March 2012. The AWGIC will be meeting with the Whitehorse Host Society in mid-October as part of its normal pre-Games review process.

2012 Arctic Winter Games sports

• Alpine Skiing

• Arctic Sports

• Badminton

• Basketball

• Biathlon - Ski

• Biathlon - snowshoe

• Cross Country Skiing
• Cultural Participants

• Curling

• Dene Games

• Dog Mushing

• Figure Skating

• Gymnastics

• Hockey

• Indoor Soccer

• Snowboarding

• Snowshoeing

• Speed Skating

• Table Tennis

• Volleyball

• Wrestling

Submitted by the Arctic Winter Games International Committee.