Sports announced for Fort St. John 2020 BC Winter Games
Author: BC Games Society/Thursday, May 24, 2018/Categories: Front Page, 2018 News, 2020 BC Winter Games, Alpine Skiing, Archery, Badminton, Artistic Gymnastics, Basketball - Special Olympics, Biathlon, Curling, Cross Country Skiing, Diving, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Judo, Karate, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Ringette, Snowboarding, Speed Skating, Wheelchair Basketball
The BC Games Society announced today the 18 sports that will be part of the Fort St. John 2020 BC Winter Games. Up to 1436 athletes, 361 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, 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 competitive opportunity for young athletes and are the first step on the path to national and international success. At the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, 22 BC Games alumni were part of the Canadian team including gold medalists Kelsey Serwa (Ski Cross) and Justin Kripps (bobsleigh).
“The opportunity the BC Games provides for the development of athletes, coaches and officials is translating in to the success of athletes on the international stage,” said Kelly Mann, President and CEO of the BC Games Society. “It is through the strength of the provincial sport system and the support of communities around the province that we are able to continue to inspire the next generation of athletes.”
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. Hosting the Games in northern British Columbia will be a catalyst for club development and increased certification opportunities for coaches and officials. Also added to the BC Winter Games program for 2020 only is a long track event in speed skating to take advantage of the opportunity to expose athletes to the long track discipline earlier in their development pathway.
"We are very excited to be going to Fort St. John for the 2020 BC Winter Games,” said Chris Acton, Technical Director for BC Speed Skating. “It's a unique opportunity for us to take advantage of the incredible indoor long track speed skating facility located in Fort St. John. The local club has a long history of successfully hosting provincial and national events and we look forward to once again showcasing long track speed skating to the community."
Information on the criteria for sport selection and the complete sport package for the 2020 BC Winter Games is available here. The Fort St. John 2020 BC Winter Games will take place February 20-23, 2020.