SHERBROOKE, QC – With competitions starting in less than 24 hours, more than 160 athletes arrived at Bishop’s University yesterday to represent British Columbia in the first week of the 2103 Canada Summer Games. Despite dreary skies and a long journey, teams dawned big smiles and were ready to get settled.
“After years of preparation and hard work, the time has come for B.C.’s best to represent our province on the national stage,” said Rob Needham, Team BC’s Chef de Mission. “The first week of competition is often packed with thrilling performances and our Mission Team is looking forward to providing ongoing support to our athletes as they rise to the challenge.”
Teams competing in week one include Baseball, Men’s Basketball, Cycling-Mountain Bike, Sailing, Women’s Soccer, Sofball, Tennis Swimming, Men’s and Women’s Volleyball and Wrestling.
After settling in, teams were eager to kick things off. The Opening Ceremony, held at the Université de Sherbrooke Stadium, was a spectacle of activity. From trampoline artists to charming dance pieces, the colourful show was capped off with a rousing fireworks display and athletes rushing the stage in unity.
Leading Team BC into the stadium was 17-year old wrestler, Ashley Osachuk. “As we walked into the stadium, I felt so honoured to carry the flag for BC with my team behind me,” said Osachuk. “The energy in the stadium was nothing short of electric and I couldn’t stop smiling. This is definitely a moment I will remember forever.”
Team BC will send a total of over 360 athletes, 70 coaches and 20 mission staff to the 2013 Canada Summer Games. Forty percent of the Team BC contingent heading to Sherbrooke are BC Games alumni.
Team BC ended the 2009 Canada Summer Games with 57 gold, 43 silver, and 44 bronze medals increasing its gold medal count from 2005 by more than 20%. With a total medal count of 144 in 2009, the team hopes to finish in the top three overall.
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About Team BC
Every four years the Province of British Columbia assembles a team of athletes, coaches, managers and mission staff to represent the province at Canada's premiere multi-sport events - the Canada Winter Games, the Canada Summer Games and the Western Canada Summer Games. Representing the best in BC, they are known as Team BC. The Team BC program is more than British Columbia's best; it is also about building excellence. For some athletes, the Canada Games are a goal along the way to what they hope will be success in sport at major multi-sport Games including Olympic and Paralympic Games.
About the Canada Games
The Canada Games are a national multi-sport competition with participation from every province and territory in Canada. The Games are held every two years, alternating between winter and summer. The 2013 Canada Summer Games will be held August 2 – 17, 2013 in Sherbrooke, Quebec, bringing together approximately 4,500 athletes who will be competing in 20 disciplines, along with coaches, managers and officials from coast to coast.
Tina Sarazin
Media Manager, Team BC
Mobile: 778-989-8462
tinasarazin@gmail.com