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.

On Friday, February 21, Kaden Baum, the only Para Nordic skier at the 2020 Fort St John BC Winter Games, raced a 2.5km loop at Beatton Provincial Park in his sit-ski.

The Northern Environmental Action Committee (NEAT) is working hard to keep the environmental impacts of the BC Winter Games as low as possible. Since Wednesday, approximately 5,000 meals have been served to athletes, coaches and officials and it has created only one bag of garbage. 

As special guests arrived at the provincial reception last night, we caught up with past BC Winter Games medal winner, Bryan Harman. Harman won bronze in the 1m and silver in the 3m springboard diving events at the 1984 Winter Games, hosted right here in Fort St. John.