Toronto - The Canadian Olympic Association today made it official and advised the International Olympic Committee that Toronto is Canada's candidate city for the 2008 Olympic Games.

In announcing the submission, COA Chief Executive Officer Carol Anne Letheren stated: "This is an exciting day for Toronto and for Canada. There is no doubt in the COA that Toronto has the ability, the heart and the innovation needed to mount a successful bid and leave our country with a meaningful legacy of sport and cultural facilities and activities. This is no time to be humble. No other city anywhere in the world will have more to offer than we do; and none will be able to create a more meaningful and inclusive legacy than we can."

In April 1998, the Canadian Olympic Association selected the City of Toronto as its candidate for the 2008 Olympic Games. Since that vote, leaders from various sectors of the community have joined in their support of this bid, reads the letter sent to IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch. It continues: "Canada has a proud tradition in welcoming the world for sporting events on an international scale. The country has previously played host to the Olympic Games, Olympic Winter Games, Commonwealth Games, University Games and the Pan American Games with much success. We have no doubt that Toronto