The Province is encouraging all British Columbians to cheer on athletes competing in the Western Canada Summer Games, and to support Team B.C. athletes from their own communities.

The Western Canada Summer Games are taking place in Kamloops from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14. Approximately 2,100 athletes, coaches and managers from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon will participate in over 10 days of high-calibre competition.

Athletes will compete in 19 different sport competitions, including artistic gymnastics, badminton, cycling, golf, swimming and wrestling. For some athletes, the Western Canada Summer Games are a step to future participation at major multi-sport games, including Olympic/Paralympic Games and the Special Olympics. For others, competing at the Western  Canada Summer Games is their end goal.

Quick Facts:

• Every four years, the Province of British Columbia assembles Team BC for the Western Canada Summer Games - a team of athletes, coaches, managers and mission staff to represent the province at Western Canada's premier multi-sport summer games. Team BC also includes provincial sport organizations, sport system partners, and Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development staff who collectively put in time, energy, expertise, and resources to support athletes as they strive for personal-best performances.
• The 2011 Western Canada Summer Games will be held in Kamloops Aug. 5-14.
• The Opening Ceremonies take place Aug. 5, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Interior Savings Centre in Kamloops.
• Planning for the Games has taken four years. The Games were awarded in 2007 when current Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake was mayor of Kamloops.

Learn More:

Find up-to-date results on all Western Canada Summer Games competitions:

http://teambc.org/Games/?G=6

http://www.2011wcsg.com/

Contact:

Gillian Rhodes
Communications Manager
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 888-1462