FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, November 20, 2017
The Kamloops 2018 BC Winter Games torch is being lit!
The BC Winter Games team welcomes athletes, alumni, community leaders, and the public to two major events marking less than 100 days to the Games
Kamloops, British Columbia – The Board of Directors of the Kamloops 2018 BC Winter Games invites community members, young athletes, sponsors, volunteers, and Games supporters to help the team officially countdown to the Games.
“A lot of hard work has gone into preparing to bring the Games to Kamloops, but this milestone really turns up the volume – and the excitement! We are less than 100 days away from welcoming 2,000 athletes, coaches and officials from all over British Columbia to compete in 19 sports,” explains Niki Remesz, Kamloops 2018 BC Winter Games President. “I am thrilled we have the chance to celebrate our hard work to date and welcome new recruits to our team as we light the torch and get this party started!”
Hundreds of volunteers are already involved in the Kamloops 2018 BC Winter Games.
“For me, the Games are a perfect reminder that if communities come together they can do amazing things. I know that our community leaders and residents will be blown away by the caliber of talent that is coming together to plan an amazing event,” says Maureen McCurdy, Kamloops 2018 BC Winter Games Vice President. “The torchlighting events are exciting because I get to see a first glimpse of our hard work in action – and, hopefully, that inspires others to join our team and start counting down to the Games with us.”
The BC Winter Games Torchlighting Ceremony will happen in Kamloops at the Tournament Capital Centre at 6PM on Wednesday, November 22. This formal event will bring together athletes and the community for inspirational words, motivational stories, and Games related announcements. Mark Madryga of Global BC will emcee the event.
On the following day, Thursday, November 23, the torch will make its way up to Sun Peaks for a torchlighting ceremony that will happen right on the ski hill. This unforgettable event will celebrate athletes, announce special projects being funded by the BC Games Society Powering Potential Fund, and highlight local Olympians.
“There will be three events held on the mountain in February – Alpine Skiing, Freestyle Skiing, and Snowboarding. Sun Peaks is excited to be part of the Games and we were passionate about ensuring that we could honour the torch in our own special way,” explains Aidan Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer at Sun Peaks Resort. “Our goal is to help create local buzz and excitement while allowing young athletes to be inspired by sports heroes and local legends.”
Two Olympians, Kenny Dale and Lark Frolek-Dale, will be part of the Sun Peaks ceremony. Kenny will be guiding young skiers down the hill as a part of the event to help demonstrate the true spirit of the Games– young athletes being inspired by sports heroes. We are Stronger Together.
The Torchlighting Ceremonies will also debut the Kamloops 2018 BC Winter Games theme song, Moments in the Mountains. Madison Olds, a talented local singer songwriter, created the song to inspire athletes and capture the essence of growing up and chasing dreams as a young person in British Columbia.
“We know it is going to be a tune that every young athlete will have at the tip of their tongues throughout the Games. I am excited for every Kamloops resident to hear it – you cannot help but be excited to host thousands of young athletes after you hear it,” raves Remesz. “This song is just one way we are ensuring Kamloops makes its time as host unforgettable.”
With less than 100 days until this massive sporting-event comes to Kamloops, these events will be used as a mechanism to recruit additional volunteers and supporters. Residents of both Sun Peaks and Kamloops will be encouraged to take part by volunteering in a number of different areas.
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Media are encouraged to RSVP for both public events via email: RSVP@bcwintergames.ca.
For more information about the BC Winter Games visit: https://www.bcgames.org.
Media Contact:
Niki Remesz, President
2018 BC Winter Games
778-220-5716
President@bcwintergames.ca