British Columbia is sending a contingent of 450 athletes, coaches, managers, and mission staff to the 2013 Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec. BC Games alumni feature prominently and represent 40% of the team. 135 athletes have previously competed at a BC Winter or BC Summer Games with an additional 42 coaches, managers, or mission staff members who are also alumni. Each alumni brings with them the valuable experience of having competed within a multisport environment.
Wrestler Ashley Osachuk (Campbell River) was named as the Team BC Flag Bearer for the Canada Games Opening Ceremony. Ashley competed at the 2008 BC Winter Games for Ringette and the 2010 and 2012 BC Summer Games for wrestling where she won a silver and gold medal respectively.
“It was amazing to win gold and stand on the podium at the BC Games when all the hard work pays off and you have reached your goal. It was the nicest medal I have ever received! I felt like I was at the Olympics,” said Osachuk. “The BC Games were a great experience and preparation opportunity for me towards one of Canada’s greatest sporting events, the Canada Games.”
BC Games alumni, who are part of Team BC, will be presented with a special recognition card and pin at the Canada Games to symbolize their significant achievement.
“The BC Games Society is incredibly proud to have played a role in the development of these athletes,” said Kelly Mann, President and CEO of the BC Games Society. “The depth of Team BC speaks to the strength and coordination of the British Columbia sport system. We look forward to seeing the results of our BC Games alumni in Sherbrooke.”
The BC Winter and BC Summer Games are the first multisport experience for young athletes in British Columbia and it is an important stepping stone to competitions like the Canada Games and ultimately the Olympic and Paralympic Games. At the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, 40 BC Games alumni were part of Team Canada with 11 athletes winning or contributing to the medal count.
Following the 2013 Canada Summer Games, the BC Games Society will be assuming responsibility for the Team BC program from the Sport Branch of the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. This is an exciting addition to the organization’s mandate and takes advantage of existing skills and expertise in multisport Games management. The Society, through guidance of the Sport Branch, is working to a seamless transition towards the Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games.
Follow Team BC at www.teambc.org