TORONTO (September 25, 2018) – On Tuesday, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced the team of 71 athletes and 28 coaches that will represent Canada at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from October 6 to 18.
BC Games alumni include: Surrey's Dolly Gabri and Jasneet Nijjar both competing in Athletics and Hunter Czeppel (Abbotsford) in Rugby Sevens.
Team Canada athlete facts:
Of the 71 athletes, 32 are male and 39 are female;
Youngest athlete: Natalie Garcia, rhythmic gymnastics (March 21, 2003);
Oldest athlete: Aliesha Lewis, rugby (January 21, 2000);
Team Canada will compete in 20 events;
Provincial breakdown by hometown:
Alberta: 14
British Columbia: 14
Manitoba: 3
Ontario: 28
Quebec: 11
Saskatchewan: 1
Four-time Olympian Bruny Surin will lead Team Canada as Chef de Mission. Surin, an Olympic champion in the 4x100m relay at Atlanta 1996, represented Canada at four Olympic Games and co-owns the Canadian record in the 100m dash.
In the eight years since their inception, Canada has seen a number of promising athletes develop thanks to their participation at the Youth Olympic Games. Sixteen Canadian Youth Olympians have gone on to represent Canada at the Olympic Games or Olympic Winter Games.
The city of Buenos Aires will host the largest multi-sport competition for the world’s best young summer athletes from over 200 nations. The 3998 athletes, between the ages of 15 and 18, will compete in 241 medal events across 32 sports. With 1999 male and female athletes, this will be the first ever Olympic event to feature total gender equality in competition. In addition to competition, athletes will participate in a wide range of cultural and educational activities that promote Olympism and its values.
QUOTES:
“It is such an honour to be Team Canada’s Chef de Mission for the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games. The opportunity to compete at the Olympics changed my life, and I have no doubt that the ability to take part at the Youth Olympic Games will do the same for the young athletes taking part. I am so excited to help them reach their potential.”
– Bruny Surin, Buenos Aires 2018 Team Canada Chef de Mission
“Congratulations to all of the athletes named to represent Canada at Buenos Aires 2018. The Youth Olympic Games are a great opportunity for our athletes to compete in a unique multi-sport environment that broadens the Olympic experience. I wish them all the best at the Games.”
– Tricia Smith, President, Canadian Olympic Committee
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COC MEDIA CONTACTS:
Josh Su, Specialist, Public Relations
c: 647-464-4060
e: jsu@olympic.ca
Photi Sotiropoulos, Director, Communications and Media Relations
t: 416-324-4298 / c: 416-476-9174
e: psotiropoulos@olympic.ca