Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
VICTORIA – Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare and Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Multiculturalism Ravi Kahlon recognized the accomplishments of B.C. athletes and the Team BC Unite initiative. This summer, Team BC athletes represented the province at the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg and the 2017 North American Indigenous Games in Toronto with outstanding results. Team BC brought home a record-setting 146 medals (55 gold, 49 silver and 42 bronze) at the Canada Summer Games – the most medals Team BC has ever won at that event. At the 2017 North American Indigenous Games, Team BC won the overall team title for the second consecutive games, bringing home 179 medals (67 gold, 58 silver and 54 bronze). To show co-operation and unity, the Indigenous Games and Canada Summer Games teams chose to come together in spirit as Team BC Unite in the lead-up to and during their respective Games. A Team BC Unite design, created by Jamin Zuroski of the Namgis First Nation, was created as a visual representation of the athletes’ unity. “With huge successes at two major games this year, the BC Games Society and ISPARC felt it was a great opportunity to celebrate our champions,” said Beare. “These young athletes are not only champions in their respective sports, but they are also inspirational leaders, showing the way to come together across games, sports, and culture.” “Each year, the B.C. government invests over $50 million in sport to increase participation and help athletes achieve their best,” said Kahlon. “We are so incredibly proud of these young athletes. I congratulate the BC Games Society and the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council on uniting B.C. athletes.” When people come together for sporting events, they connect, talk, compete and have fun in a way that shapes the health of their community. “The summer of 2017 was tremendously successful for British Columbia athletes and we are proud to join together to celebrate these accomplishments. Beyond the obvious success on the field of play, Team BC athletes were true ambassadors for our province uniting together to showcase how sport can build bridges and make a difference in our communities,” said Kelly Mann, president and CEO of the BC Games Society. “This has been a banner year for Team BC,” said Rick Brant, executive director of Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council. “It’s fitting that we take the opportunity to celebrate our athletes and coaches, their shared successes at the Canada Summer Games and the North American Indigenous Games, and the deeper connection that we have been able to establish through the Team BC Unite initiative.” The B.C. government provides funding to support Team BC’s participation in the Canada Games and North American Indigenous Games as part of a $7-million annual investment in high-performance sport. Team BC at the 2017 North American Indigenous Games included 542 participants (418 athletes, 50 coaches, 46 managers and chaperones, and 28 mission staff). Team BC at the 2017 Canada Summer Games included 455 participants (354 athletes, 52 coaches, 27 managers and technical support staff, and 22 mission staff). The North American Indigenous Games were held in Toronto from July 16- 23, 2017, and the 2017 Canada Summer Games were held in Winnipeg from July 28-Aug. 13, 2017. To learn more about the BC Games Society, visit: https://www.bcgames.org/ To learn more about the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (ISPARC): visit: https://isparc.ca
