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Canadian raffle during Tokyo 2020 aims to help future Olympians

The Olympic Rings are silhouetted as fireworks light up the sky during the closing ceremonies at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia on Sunday, February 23, 2014. The CBC will continue to be Canada's official Olympic broadcaster through 2024.The public broadcaster says it has nabbed the broadcast rights to the Beijing 2022 Winter Games and the 2024 Summer Games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

TORONTO (CityNews) – Canadians watching and supporting Canadian athletes competing in Tokyo 2020 can participate in new coast-to-coast 50/50 raffles.

Canadians in every province and territory will be able to purchase raffle tickets dubbed “Team Canada 50/50”.

The raffles will see proceeds given to each province and territories’ sports systems, allowing Canadians to pursue their Olympics dreams.

“With the Olympic Games just moments away, the Team Canada 50/50 will add to the excitement. This historic national effort allows sports enthusiasts to lift Team Canada to new heights while directly impacting sport in communities across the country,” said Cindy Yelle, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Olympic Foundation and former Team Canada athlete, in a statement.

“Every Canadian who participates in the 50/50 is helping us deliver on the potential to help make Team Canada the greatest it can be.”

There will be two draws, one on July 31 and one on Aug. 8. Tickets will stop being sold at 11 p.m. ET on each of those days.

Players must be the age of majority in their home province in order to play.