Since the BC Winter and BC Summer Games were first established in 1978, the BC Games Society has worked to bring the province together in the spirit of sport and friendship. Over the past 40+ years, the Games have involved more than 350,000 participants and volunteers over 38 Games.
The BC Games Society is committed to providing exceptional sport experiences for all participants. While the size of the BC Winter and BC Summer Games have fluctuated over the years depending on the number of sports and number of zones competing for each sport, the goal of the new Core Sport Policy is to keep the numbers at a manageable level to ensure exceptional and safe sport experiences for everyone involved, therefore based on a decision of the BC Games Society Board of Directors, there will be no new sports or additions to participant numbers considered for the 2022 Games. As a result, the 2022 Games will not be open for new sports to apply for inclusion and sports in the sports in the Games will not be permitted to increase their participant numbers.
“Changes to the Core Sport Policy for the 2022 Summer and Winter Games are a result of discussion and consultation with our partners and the BC Games Society’s Board of Directors,” said Alison Noble, President and CEO of the BC Games Society. “The changes take into account the quality of the Games experience and safety of our participants.”
Sports in the 2020 Games will be evaluated post-Games to determine their status in the 2022 Games and sports that do not meet the Core Sport criteria may not be included. The number of sports and athletes allocated to each sport in the BC Games are subject to the resources available to the BC Games Society and the capacity of the hosting communities. Those sports already included in the 2020 BC Winter and Summer Games do not need to reapply for inclusion in the 2022 Games unless a significant change is being requested.
The BC Games Society is grateful for every volunteer and partner working with us to ensure the BC Winter and BC Summer Games are both an exceptional and safe experience for each participant, and in doing so, encouraging these young athletes to reach their full potential.
For more information about the Core Sport Policy, please visit www.bcgames.org/Sport/Core-Sport-Policy.