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The Toronto Star reports former Ontario Premier David Peterson will be named Wednesday as head of southern Ontario's bid for the 2015 Pan Am Games. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is making the official announcement in a move that, according to the newspaper, should give a major boost to a $1.77 billion plan to hold the Pan American Games in Toronto and a dozen Golden Horseshoe municipalities in southern Ontario.

Peterson played a key role in Toronto's failed bids for the 1996 and 2008 Summer Games, and the newspaper says he is well regarded "in the high-octane world" of international sporting politics.

One source close to the bid said, "we needed someone to say to these guys (at the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO)) that we're serious. Having a former premier demonstrates the depth of government backing for this. He has a huge Rolodex, good connections to government, and his experience on the Olympic bids is invaluable".

According to the source, Peterson will not be paid for chairing the bid. "He's a busy guy, but he's agreed to do this in a voluntary capacity".

The bid's competitors are likely to be Bogota Colombia, Caracas Venezuela and Lima Peru.

The bid team will have to be in full force at PASO's annual general assembly October 10-11 in Acapulco Mexico. It's expected there will be aggressive lobbying by the three South American contenders, said the Star.

The winner of the 2015 Pan Am Games will be selected between July and September 2009.

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper predicted the Pan Am's would inject $2 billion into the local economy. He said last month, "the greater Golden Horseshoe has a well-deserved reputation for being able to host major international events. By working together to bring the...games to southern Ontario, we are also bringing an economic boost to the province and shining a spotlight on Canada's outstanding athletes and fans".

One senior member of Canada's government said Peterson was "a smart choice" because he gives the Pan Am bid gravitas - in the eyes of the public and behind the scenes. "He understands how to play the games and will work well with McGuinty, Harper, and the various municipal leaders".

(Source: Gamesbids.com)