There have been a lot of smiles on and off the ice as some Special Olympics Figure Skaters experienced their biggest competition to date. Athletes have said it has been a great experience and the coaches are awesome and help them work through unique struggles, providing a supportive environment.

Jennie Copland, Badminton Sport Chair, was in for an unpleasant surprise Friday morning. The badminton competitions were starting that morning and eight teams from eight zones were awaiting their BC Winter Games shirts.

The competitors are called to the mat, but only one person walks on. They face the empty space across from them, bow, step forward bow again. The ref raises their hand, awarding the match, and the person again bows, and leaves.

Karate made its Olympic debut at Tokyo in 2020 but has been part of the BC Games since 1978. The sport provides young athletes with coordination, stamina and agility. Over 130 participants have made the trip to Fort St. John to compete in one of the five styles; Shito, Goju, Shoto, Wado and Chito.

The winds were blowing at Bear Mountain Ski Hill, just outside of Dawson Creek, as the BC Winter Games alpine skiing kicked off. Sunny skies and good snow condition more than made up for the gusting winds. None of the athletes seemed too bothered by the gales, including 12-year-old Ewan Hawes from Prince George, B.C.

Trent Read is a teacher at Dr. Kearney Middle School in Fort St. John. When he’s not in the classroom, he is fulfilling his other passion - basketball. He has a coaching history of 20 years, working with three different schools, and at times working with athletes ranging from grades 4 to grade 10. This week, with the 2020 Fort St. John BC Winter Games, Read found a way to get involved with the sport he loves and is taking on a new role as a scorekeeper for Wheelchair Basketball.