There are just a few short days left until the Canada Summer Games, and I can’t wait to see all the exciting sporting action taking place in Sherbrooke, Quebec!
I had the honour of announcing Team B.C.’s official flag bearer for the games, wrestler Ashley Osachuk from Campbell River, last Thursday.
Her talent and leadership make her a great role model for our young athletes, and I’d like to wish her and the rest of Team B.C. the best of luck in the upcoming games.
I’m certain they will do a fine job of competing on the field as well as serving as ambassadors of our province off the field.
The Canada Games have a long tradition in our country. Since the first games in 1967, over 100,000 athletes from across the country have competed, living up to the Canada Games’ motto of “unity through sport.”
The games take place every two years, alternating between winter and summer games. In fact, the next edition of the Canada Games will be right here in B.C., with Prince George hosting the winter games in 2015!
In this year’s Sherbrooke games, there will be 4200 athletes competing in 20 different disciplines. For 16 days, from Aug. 2 to Aug. 17, Team B.C. will be competing against the best athletes from the other provinces and territories. With 360 athletes and 70 coaches representing our province, and some excellent sports programs behind them, I am sure they will do very well.
Our province provides $850,000 in funding annually for Team B.C., helping our athletes reach their potential. That potential is sure to be on display in the Sherbrooke games.
I hope many of you will follow our athletes as they compete in the coming weeks — I know I will!
Coralee Oakes is the MLA for Cariboo North and is the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.