The 2013 Canada Summer Games wrapped up in Sherbrooke on August 17 with Team BC finishing third in the medal count with 122 medals and second in flag points. At the Canada Games, flag points are awarded to every athlete in every sport based on performance and participation and then aggregated for each province and territory. The province or territory with the greatest amount of points is declared the champion and presented with the Canada Games Flag. BC edged out Quebec in flag points finishing second with 258.5 points.
Representing over 40% of Team BC, BC Games alumni were a strong force during the two weeks of competition. 87 BC Games alumni won or contributed to 58 medals earned by Team BC.
Here are a few highlights of BC Games alumni results.
Week one highlights included fantastic results in swimming with Dalton Boon (Ladner) taking home five medals (two gold, two silver and one bronze) as well as Magnus Batara (Richmond) with four medals (three gold, one bronze). Emily Overhold (West Vancouver) continued to add to the total with another four medals (three gold and one silver).
In tennis, Patrick Hall (Vancouver) won the gold medal in the individual competition and took silver with his team.
The wrestling team had 10 BC Games alumni, including Opening Ceremony flag bearer, Ashley Osachuck (Campbell River) who brought home a silver medal. Oscar Bulaqui (Vancouver) and Matthew Dignan (Abbtosford) earned gold medals and contributing bronze medals were Cody Osborn (Maple Ridge), Brandy Perry (North Vancouver ) and Nolan Badovinac (Port Alberni).
Week two highlights included more fantastic individual results starting at the golf course. Taylor Kim (Surrey) and Kevin Kwon (Maple Ridge) both won the Individual competitions by a wide margin and contributed to winning the team golds for both men and women.
In the canoe-kayak competition, Keiffer Johnston (Kamloops) earned an individual silver along with a bronze with partner and fellow alumni Zachary Morgan (Kamloops).
BC was dominant on the beach volleyball courts with 16 year old twins Nicole and Megan McNamara (Tsawwassen) taking the silver medal against teams who were up to five years older. Ben Chow (Surrey) and Dan Caverley (Coquitlam) won the gold against Ontario. Ben was also chosen as the Closing Ceremony flag bearer as the result of his impressive performance and his commitment to coaching which included being the Fraser Valley Zone 3 Coach at the 2012 BC Summer Games.
Team sports at the 2013 Games were dominant with 9 of the 10 teams earning medals for Team BC including gold for baseball, women’s soccer, and softball; silver for women’s basketball, men’s soccer, and women’s volleyball; and a bronze for men’s volleyball. BC Games alumni were present on each of these medal winning teams.
In addition to outstanding sport performances, Team BC was honoured to have received the coveted Claude Hardy Award. At every Games, the Canada Games Council, in partnership with the Host Society of the Games identify one province or territory that has set themselves apart throughout the Games. The Claude Hardy Award is presented to a provincial or territorial team in recognition of leadership, cooperation, integrity, and esprit de corps.
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 builds on existing skills and expertise in multisport Games management. Up to 50% of the athletes and coaches who compete for Team BC have previously attended a BC Games. The Society, with the guidance of the Sport Branch, is working towards a seamless transition as planning begins for the Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games.