The Comox Valley will be well represented at the 2013 Canada Summer Games.
Nine locals will be in Sherbrooke, Que. for the Aug. 2-17 sports spectacular, which will bring together approximately 4,500 athletes competing in 20 disciplines.
Flying the Comox Valley colours will be coaches Mike Flegel (swimming) and Robert Ratcliffe (golf) along with athletes Mark Valliere (golf), Gillian Ellsay (road cycling), Jordan Duncan (road cycling), Kia van der Vliet (road cycling), Tyler Kostiuk (athletics), Jake Hooper (athletics), and Chelsea Tancon (volleyball).
Campbell River wrestler Ashley Osachuk is the Team BC flag bearer for the opening ceremonies.
Team BC will send a dedicated group of 360 athletes, 70 coaches and 20 mission staff to the 2013 Canada Summer Games. Forty per cent of the Team BC contingent heading to Sherbrooke are BC Games alumni.
Team BC ended the 2009 Canada Summer Games with 57 gold, 43 silver and 44 bronze medals, increasing its gold medal count from 2005 by more than 20 per cent. The total medal count of 144 bettered the mark of 119 won at the 2005 Games in Regina, Sask.
"It is a privilege to lead Team BC to the 2013 Canada Summer Games," said Team BC chef de mission Rob Needham. "I know the coaches, athletes and support staff have been working diligently to prepare themselves for the
Games and Team BC is providing the support they need to get them to the podium."
About Team BC
Every four years the Province of British Columbia assembles a team of athletes, coaches, managers and mission staff to represent the province at Canada's premier multi-sport events - the Canada Winter Games, the Canada Summer Games and the Western Canada Summer Games. Representing the best in B.C., they are known as Team BC.
The Team BC program is more than British Columbia's best, it is also about building excellence. For some athletes, the Canada Games are a goal along the way to what they hope will be success in sport at major multi-sport Games including Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Canada Games are a national multi-sport competition with participation from every province and territory in Canada. The Games are held every two years, alternating between winter and summer.