With one week to go before the start of the 2012 BC Summer Games, excitement is building for over 3000 participants set to compete in Surrey, July 19-22. The BC Winter and BC Summer Games are a first multisport experience providing athletes with a unique environment where they represent their home zone in competition against the best athletes in their sport. For some, the BC Games are a pinnacle achievement but, for many others, it is the first step towards provincial and national teams and eventually other major multisport Games like the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
With the London Olympic Games beginning just one week after the BC Summer Games, the athletes competing in Surrey can look for inspiration from the 25 BC Games alumni who will be part of the Canadian Olympic Team at the London 2012 Olympic Summer Games. Athletes including Dylan Armstrong (Athletics), Ryder Hesjedal (Cycling), Brent Hayden (Swimming), Karina LeBlanc (Soccer) and Carol Huynh (Wrestling) all began their journey to the Olympic Games with a trip to the BC Games.
40% of the Canadian Olympic team live or train in BC and the BC Games are part of the strong provincial sport system that provides an outstanding training environment and support services for high performance athletes. Representing one-quarter of the BC based athletes, BC Games alumni will be front and centre at the Olympic Games.
Close to 3000 volunteers in Surrey have worked to plan and stage the BC Summer Games, including many who were part of the team for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Competition will take place over four days in 20 different sports at venues throughout the City of Surrey.
For more information on the 2012 BC Summer Games and a complete list of BC Games Alumni on the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team please visit www.bcgames.org.