Celebrating seniors and their involvement in sport is on the radar for Kamloops and Langley as they become centres for a celebration when the two communities host the B.C. Seniors Games, announced Hon. Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Kamloops will host the Games in 2013 from Aug. 20 to 24.

Langley will host the Games in 2014 from Sept. 9 to 13.

The B.C. Senior Games is a multi-sport event held by a different community each year, and features athletes aged 55 and older. They provide seniors an opportunity to compete, and inspire active lifestyles. The Games also provide participants, friends and families the opportunity to socialize.

An estimated 3,500 BC seniors will compete in 24 or more sporting events during each of these Games, and each participant will demonstrate exceptional skill within their sport. For example, Olga Kotelko, a 93-year-old athlete, has won over 650 gold medals in track and field since she started competing at the age of 77. During the 2011 B.C. Seniors Games in the West Kootenays she won seven gold medals and broke a world record in weight throw.

Quick Facts:

• Burnaby will host the 2012 BC Seniors Games from Aug. 21 to 25.
• The Province provides $85,000 to each B.C. Seniors Games through the B.C. Seniors Games Society.
• The B.C. Seniors Games brings an estimated $2 million in economic activity to host communities.
• As many as 1,500 local volunteers will dedicate their time and effort to each of the B.C. Seniors Games events.

Learn More:

The B.C. Seniors Games Society: http://www.bcseniorsgames.org/bcsgs/

The City of Kamloops: http://www.kamloops.ca/index.shtml

The City of Langley: http://www.city.langley.bc.ca/

The Township of Langley: http://www.tol.ca/

Contacts:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 208-4028

June Parsons
President
B.C. Seniors Games Society
250 656-4546