Sport Package Announced for 2018 BC Winter Games
Author: BC Games Society/Monday, May 30, 2016/Categories: 2016 News, 2018 BC Winter Games, Alpine Skiing, Archery, Badminton, Artistic Gymnastics, Basketball - Special Olympics, Biathlon, Curling, Cross Country Skiing, Diving, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Netball, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Ringette, Snowboarding, Speed Skating, Wheelchair Basketball
The BC Games Society announced today the 18 sports that will be part of the Kamloops 2018 BC Winter Games. Up to 1527 athletes, 377 coaches, and 246 officials will compete in alpine skiing, archery, badminton, basketball (Special Olympics), biathlon, cross country skiing, curling, diving, figure skating, freestyle skiing, gymnastics, judo, karate, netball, ringette, rhythmic gymnastics, snowboarding, speed skating and wheelchair basketball. Athletes with a disability will compete in basketball, wheelchair basketball, cross country skiing, and figure skating.
The BC Games provide a valuable multi-sport competition opportunity for young athletes and are the first step on the path to national and international success. At the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, 18 BC Games alumni were part of the Canadian team including medalists Kelsey Serwa (Ski Cross), Denny Morrison (Speed Skating), and Josh Dueck (Para Alpine). Over 57% of Team BC at the 2015 Canada Winter Games were BC Games alumni.
“Attending the BC Games is a significant step in an athlete’s development,” said Kelly Mann, President and CEO of the BC Games Society. “The international success we have seen from B.C. athletes speaks volumes to the opportunities they have been given through the provincial sport system and the BC Games.”
The sports in the BC Winter Games are led by Provincial Sport Organizations who have demonstrated their commitment to athlete development, coaching certification, and officials’ training. All of the sports from the 2016 BC Winter Games will return for 2018 with the addition of snowboarding, added for the first time in BC Winter Games history.
“The inclusion of snowboarding into the BC Winter Games will substantially increase the development of snowboarding in our province,” said Flynn Seddon, President of BC Snowboard Association. “The athletes, coaches, and officials will have a great opportunity to participate in a multi-sport event that will further align their competitive pathways.”
Information on the criteria for sport selection and the complete sport package for the 2018 BC Winter Games is available here. The Kamloops 2018 BC Winter Games will take place February 22-25, 2018.