B.C. Winter Games deemed another success in Kamloops

After four days of exciting action, the 2018 BC Winter Games wrapped up on Sunday in Kamloops.

Over 1,200 athletes competed in 19 sports at venues throughout Kamloops and Sun Peaks, representing their home zones with determination and pride.

Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, attended the Games and spoke at the closing ceremony.

“These young athletes will go back to their communities, having made new friends, seeing a new area of the province, and many will go home with medals,” she said. “The duration of the contest is but a few minutes, while the training takes years of hard work and exercise and self discipline. The applause soon dies away, the prize is left behind, but it is the character you build that will be yours forever. You are all champions.”

Guichon presented Kamloops gymnast, Rebecca Wharton, with the W.R. Bennett Award for Athletic Excellence, which includes a $2,500 bursary to support her future sport expenses.

It was fitting that the BC Games finished at the same time as the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

A total of 16 BC Games alumni were part of Team Canada, including gold medallists Justin Kripps of Summerland (bobsleigh) and Kelsey Serwa of Kelowna (ski cross).

The BC Games are the starting point for many athletes as they pursue their goals and dreams of one day representing Canada on the world stage.

“The athletes will leave the BC Games with new friendships, with successes, and with a new a determination to chase a dream that is truly within their grasp,” said Kelly Mann, President and CEO of the BC Games Society. “Sport builds so much more in us than just physical well being. It rounds us out as people, it helps us build friendships and memories that last a lifetime.”

A volunteer force of 1,800 people worked tirelessly throughout the event to ensure the best possible experience for everyone involved.

The BC Games flag was passed to Jennifer Woike, President of the Cowichan 2018 BC Summer Games that will take place July 19-22.