Feb.
20, 2001
OLYMPIAN
MARKS COUNTDOWN TO 2002 BC WINTER GAMES
VICTORIA
– B.C. Olympic skier and World Cup downhill winner Rob Boyd called on
young British Columbia athletes today to set their sights on the 2002 BC
Winter Games, which start one year tomorrow in Williams Lake.
“The
Games are a whole lot of fun and a great goal for young athletes,”
said Boyd. “Athletes from 10 to 17 should visit the BC Games Web
site at www.bcgames.org to check
out the age group in their sport and the contact near them.”
Boyd,
35, who lives in Whistler, emphasized the need to find a certified coach
and commit now. “My coach Mike McGrath got me to the Games.
There
are links from the Games Web site to the provincial sport organizations
that can help athletes find a coach near them.”
Boyd
joins BC Games Society co-chair Marion Lay as an advocate for the new
youth-oriented BC Games. Lay, who won a bronze medal in swimming
in 1968, said: “Our Games are the first step up the ladder, and I
think it’s a really important first step.”
The
1980 BC Winter Games were Boyd’s first opportunity to compete against
athletes from around British Columbia. “I didn’t do that well,
but it sure helped prepare me for what I would face at the Canada Games
and Olympics,” Boyd said. Since then, he’s won a Canada Games gold
medal, three World Cup downhills, and a spot on three Olympic teams in
Calgary, Albertville, and Lillehammer.
There
are 20 sports in the 2002 BC Winter Games. Sports in the BC Winter
Games must have teams from at least six of the zones of the province in
order to be on the Games program. Most sports have teams from all
eight zones.
The
BC Games Society makes it easy to attend. “We pay for and
organize charter transportation, accommodation, meals and entertainment
– all for an athlete registration fee of $50,” said Games President
and CEO Kelly Mann. “There is no charge for coaches, managers
and chaperones.”
-
30 -
|
Contact:
|
Lister
Farrar
Office and voice mail (250) 356-3012 |
Mobile
(250) 812-6166
e-mail listerf@bcgames.org |
