More than 1,500 athletes, coaches and officials are ready to thrill B.C. and test their abilities with the start of the 2012 BC Winter Games in Vernon, announced Premier Christy Clark.

Over the next four days, Vernon is the centre for B.C.'s emerging high-performance athletes as they compete in 17 sport events in 15 different sporting areas, including archery, badminton, netball, ringette and speed skating. Athletes participating in these Games are from communities across British Columbia and range in age from nine- to 17-years-old.

"I encourage British Columbians to follow the success of their local athletes participating in these Games, and be inspired by their journey and personal triumphs," said Premier Clark. "Every athlete participating in the B.C. Winter Games is a shining example of our high-calibre provincial sport system that provides world-class coaching, facilities and training opportunities. They represent the very best of B.C."

The Games are not only an important avenue to facilitate athlete development, they also support growth in host communities. Visitors attending the Games help boost local tourism and hospitality sectors and, after the competition, communities continue to benefit from a trained volunteer base.

"Sporting events like the Games are another avenue for B.C. communities to showcase the local businesses and events that make them unique and wonderful places to live," said Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. "Visitors to the BC Winter Games in Vernon will revel in the marvellous opportunities the community has to offer."

The Province supports the BC Winter Games by providing $525,000 through the BC Games Society. These Games are also supported by the City of Vernon, North Okanagan Regional District, School District #22, corporate partners, and Friends of the Games, which are providing cash and in-kind services.

"The success by B.C. athletes and coaches in national and international competition can be traced back to the BC Games, and the investments made in our provincial sport system," said BC Games Society President and CEO Kelly Mann. "Many of today's competitors in Vernon will soon be representing our province and country across the world."

British Columbians can support their local athletes by following their progress through the BC Games Society's website, www.bcgames.org, and the society's social media accounts on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/BCGamesSociety, and Twitter, http://twitter.com/BCGamesSociety.

Contacts:

Rebecca Scott
Deputy Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 589-9722

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677 (office)
250 208-4028 (cell)