Incredible competition, PANAMANIA performances and surprise giveaways on the way August 7-15

TORONTO, Aug. 7, 2015 /CNW/ - Building on the success of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games, CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM), Premier Partner of the Canadian Parapan Am Team, is proud to support Team Canada and deliver another #PanAmazing experience to Canadians and visitors during the Parapan Am Games.

"Para-sport is truly something to get excited about," says Laura Dottori-Attanasio, Chief Risk Officer and Diversity & Inclusion Executive Champion, CIBC, the Lead Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. "We encourage everyone to learn about these dedicated athletes, cheer on their incredible athleticism and celebrate their accomplishments - you will be inspired. CIBC is thrilled to support the para-sport movement in Canada. Sport is a powerful vehicle to shift societal attitudes and perceptions towards people with a disability and make our communities all the more strong for it."

CIBC has invested in Canada's next generation of athletes through its innovative CIBC Team Next program, including 15 para-athletes who will compete at these Games. Cheer them on Twitter with #CIBCTeamNext and #PanAmazing @cibc, on Instagram @cibcnow and on facebook.com/cibc. The program is a three-year, $2-million investment in this country's elite-level amateur athletes that provides funding and financial advice, plus life skills and mentorship from nine former and current Canadian athlete champions.

As Canada's most innovative bank, CIBC is once again offering convenient banking services at the CIBC Banking Café located in the CIBC Athletes' Village or at ATMs throughout the Games footprint.

Roving CIBC brand ambassadors will be in full force, distributing cheer gear and "surprise and delight" moments at sporting events. Visitors will also have the chance to receive free Parapan Am tickets.

PANAMANIA, the 35-day arts and culture festival presented by CIBC, resumes today, with free exhibitions, events and concerts running through August 12. CIBC will once again be hosting nightly Victory Celebrations at Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square, to honour medal-winning athletes, accompanied by fireworks at 10:50 p.m. Headliners at PANAMANIA Live include Jann Arden, Chromeo, The Roots, Tanya Tagaq, Whitehorse and more.

Back for an encore is the popular "CIBC Symphony of Swings" - with an accessible seat for visitors in wheelchairs! This whimsical swing set at Nathan Phillips Square creates a symphony of sound when the seats swing in tandem.

CIBC is also serving a little taste of Canada at the CIBC Banking Café to the athletes  -- The Canadian Smoothie - which was a big hit during the Pan Am Games. Boasting ingredients found only in Canada, this healthy treat was developed exclusively for athletes in partnership with the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CISO). More than 3,300 smoothies were served during the Pan Am Games.

About CIBC
CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units - Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Wholesale Banking - CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC on our corporate website at www.cibc.com/ca/media-centre/.

About CIBC's Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Sponsorship
As the Lead Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games CIBC is committed to enriching Canadian communities through the power of sport. Through our investments we will create a lasting legacy by funding next-generation athletes, encouraging the volunteer spirit of our employees, helping finance landmark venues and engaging our diverse communities while fusing sport with arts and culture. To learn more visit www.cibc.com/ca/features/panamgames.html .

Attention Editors: CIBC Team Next athletes at the Parapan Am Games are:

SOURCE Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce