By Ethan Ready, with files from BC Games

Let the games begin!

BC Summer Games officially underway in Prince George

Jul 21, 2022 | 6:38 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Just under 3,000 of the province’s top young athletes, coaches, and officials have arrived in Prince George for the opening of the 2022 BC Summer Games and the chance to celebrate sport and community from July 21-24.

“After four long years apart, I am thrilled to celebrate the return of the BC Summer Games,” said Melanie Mark, Hli Haykwhl Wii Xsgaak, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

“Having athletes from every corner of BC gather again in Prince George is a dream come true for competitors, coaches, volunteers, and organizers. This is an exciting opportunity for our province’s top young athletes to demonstrate their hard work and determination. I can’t wait to cheer on the next generation of local superstars.”

The over 2,200 athletes, who are an average of 14 years old, earned their entry to the BC Summer Games by participating in qualification events around British Columbia. The athletes are supported by thousands of local volunteers, 450 coaches, and over 200 officials, who will ensure they have the best possible competitive experience at the Games.

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“Our community and partners have rallied around these Games and we are excited to show off their hard work to the rest of the province,” said Host Society President Renee McCloskey. “We can’t wait to welcome BC’s finest competitors and play an important role in their development pathways.”

The Prince George 2022 BC Summer Games is supported with $625,000 in base funding from the Province, along with resources and support from Provincial Partners the City of Prince George, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, School District No. 57, Global BC, Black Press Media, and Prince George businesses. The event is expected to attract thousands of visitors and generate $2 million for the local economy.

“An incredible amount of work has gone on behind the scenes to put these Games together and we’re excited for our participants to experience the care and passion that Prince George has put into this event,” said BC Games President and CEO Alison Noble.

The BC Winter and BC Summer Winter Games were established in 1978 to bring young people around B.C. together through sport and friendship. Former BC Games participants who have gone on to compete for Team Canada at the Olympic or Paralympic Games include:

• Maidon Mailey (Rowing)
• Bo Hedges (Wheelchair Basketball)
• Julia Grosso (Soccer)
• Brent Hayden (Swimming)
• Meryeta O’Dine (Snowboardcross)

Quick Facts:

• This year’s Games in Prince George marks the 32^nd BC Summer Games and the first time that Prince George has hosted the event since 1990.
• Prince George has a variety of experience putting on multi-sport Games, having hosted the BC Winter Games (1981), the BC Summer Games (1990), the Canada Winter Games (2015), and the World Paranordic Games (2019).
• Competitors represent eight geographic zones: Kootenays (Zone 1), Thompson-Okanagan (Zone 2), Fraser Valley (Zone 3), Fraser River (Zone 4), Vancouver-Coastal (Zone 5), Vancouver Island-Central Coast (Zone 6), North West (Zone 7) and Cariboo-North East (Zone 8).
• To date, 40 communities have hosted BC Winter and/or BC Summer Games.
• The Prince George 2022 BC Summer Games participants will compete in 3×3 basketball, artistic swimming, athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, box lacrosse, canoe/kayak, equestrian, field lacrosse golf, rowing, rugby, sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, towed water sports, triathlon, volleyball, and wrestling.
• Athletes with disabilities will compete in athletics-Special Olympics, canoe/kayak-Paddle All, equestrian-para, swimming-para, and swimming-Special Olympics events.
• More than 350,000 participants and volunteers have taken part in BC Winter and BC Summer Games over the past 44 years.

Key Dates for the 2022 BC Summer Games

• Opening Ceremony: Thursday, July 21
• Competitions: Thursday, July 21 until noon Sunday, July 24
• Closing Celebration: Sunday, July 24