ABBOTSFORD – Thousands of B.C.’s best young athletes, along with coaches and officials will gather in the City of Abbotsford for three days of intense competition at the 2016 BC Summer Games.
Athletes will compete in 18 sports ranging from baseball to wrestling, including three events for athletes with a disability (athletics, equestrian and swimming). The 2,441 athletes will be joined by 479 coaches and more than 300 officials in the Fraser Valley’s largest city.
The Government of British Columbia is proud to support these Games with $600,000 in base funding provided to the BC Games Society. The City of Abbotsford, School District #34 and other partners have also contributed funding or in-kind services to help this event be a success.
To further recognize this important provincial celebration of sport and community development, BC Summer Games Week has been officially proclaimed to commence on July 21, 2016.
Many former BC Games competitors have gone on to participate in national and international competitions, including the Canada Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. More than 25 BC Games alumni will soon compete for Team Canada at the Rio 2016 Olympics including: Kirsten Sweetland (triathlon), Richard Weinberger (swimming), William Dean (rowing) and Bo Hedges (wheelchair basketball).
“The BC Summer Games have always been a source of pride for this province, and many alumni have gone on to deliver outstanding accomplishments on the world stage,” says Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, “These games provide an opportunity for athletes to gain from the experience of a wider level of competition in their own sport within the dynamics of a multi-sport competition.”
This is the 30th BC Summer Games and the second time the City of Abbotsford has hosted since the games debuted in 1978.
3,237 participants will take part in the games – including 2,441 athletes, 479 coaches and 317 officials.
Competition will take place in 18 sports including three sports for athletes with a disability.
Participants represent eight geographic zones in the province.
Roughly 2,500 community volunteers will be involved in the planning and staging of the games with support from the BC Games Society.
To learn more about the BC Summer Games visit: www.bcgames.org
