Alberta continues to strengthen its reputation as a premier destination for major sporting events by welcoming archers from around the world for the 2024 World Archery Field Championships. The six-day event will bring athletes, coaches and technical officials from 28 countries including Australia, France, Mauritania and Norway to Lac La Biche.
Almost 1,000 spectators are anticipated to flock to Lac La Biche for the world-class event, in addition to the hundreds of athletes, coaches and officials participating in the competition. The Championships are expected to inject up to $2.3 million into the local economy as visitors support businesses in the region with increased dining, shopping, and entertainment and accommodation bookings. Alberta’s government has provided $95,000 for the planning, staging and delivery of the competition.
“Alberta’s government is proud to support events like the World Archery Field Championships, which not only generate significant economic benefits for the local community and provide our athletes with a home-field advantage, but also inspire the next generation of Alberta athletes to chase their dreams.”
The 2024 World Archery Field Championships will include two age categories: under 21, and 21 and over. The competition offers a mix of target courses set in the woods and countryside, and features three equipment disciplines: compound, recurve and barebow.
“This great event will showcase one of Alberta’s true hidden gems and top-notch facilities. Lac La Biche is an outdoorsman’s paradise and there is no better place to host an archery event of this calibre. Welcome everyone to Alberta, and may the best shot win.”
Of the athletes participating, three standout archers from Alberta will represent Team Canada. In the compound division, Cameron Palichuk and Cory Smandych will showcase their skills. Palichuk, from Blackfalds, ranked ninth overall at the 2024 Pan American Championships, and Smandych, a Calgarian, is a multi-time Canadian champion and seven-time Alberta Provincial champion. In the under 21 compound division, Damon Polowaniuk, from Sturgeon County, made headlines by setting a new U21 Men’s Pan American Championship record at the 2024 Youth Masters Pan American Championships. Polowaniuk finished the competition fifth overall, earning a gold medal in the Men’s Team event and a bronze in the Mixed Team round.
“This will be the first time Canada has hosted the World Archery Field Championships, and it is a great privilege and an honor. We can’t wait for athletes from around the world to experience the passion and dedication of our volunteers and our community.”
Lac La Biche has become a regular fixture on the archery circuit, having hosted the Canadian 3D Indoor Championships in both 2017 and 2021, and the World Archery 3D Championships in 2019. Lac La Biche is also scheduled to host the Canadian Outdoor Archery Championships in 2025.
Related information
Related news
- Strengthening Alberta’s sport legacy (Aug. 8, 2024)
- Athletes aiming for gold at Alberta sport events (March 19, 2024)
- All eyes on Alberta for winter sports (Jan. 15, 2024)