In February 2016, Special Olympics BC figure skaters from around the province will compete at BC Games for the first time ever.
Set to be held February 25 to 28, the Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games will include the debut of the Special Olympics figure skating event, and SOBC basketball players will also compete in their own division for just the second time at BC Games.
We’re looking forward to cheering on the SOBC figure skating athletes and coaches who will take the ice in Penticton:
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Athletes |
Local |
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Jennifer Utendale |
Surrey |
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Tracy Laberge |
Coquitlam |
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Krista Milne |
Surrey |
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Jeff Leung |
Vancouver |
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Eric Pahima |
Vancouver |
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Matthew Lai |
Richmond |
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Desiree Grubell |
Victoria |
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Emily Walzak |
Victoria |
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Kimberly Giesbrecht |
Port Alberni |
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Matthew MacDonald |
Port Alberni |
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Coaches |
Local |
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Tannis Marshall |
Surrey |
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Siaw Yee |
Richmond |
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Tess van Straaten |
Victoria |
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Martin Newham |
Victoria |
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The SOBC athletes will join teammates from their respective regions to represent their home zones.
Stay tuned for the announcement of the participating SOBC basketball players and coaches!
The Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games are expected to have as many as 2,082 participants, including 1,495 athletes, 361 coaches, and 226 officials. These will be the 28th BC Winter Games and the fourth time Penticton has hosted the BC Games.
The BC Winter Games provide a competitive multi-sport environment that supports the development of athletes, coaches, and officials as they move on to higher levels of competition. BC Games alumni are successful on the national and international stage. Eighteen BC Games alumni represented Canada at the 2014 Olympics and Paralympics, including Jamie Benn (hockey), Denny Morrison (speed skating), Kelsey Serwa (ski cross) and Josh Dueck (Para alpine). Fifty-seven per cent of the Team BC athletes who competed at the 2015 Canada Winter Games were BC Games alumni.
These BC Games are distinct from Special Olympics BC Games, which are our Provincial Games hosted by SOBC solely for SOBC athletes.
SOBC athletes have been showcasing their skills in the generic BC Games for 12 years, competing in Special Olympics divisions. Prior to 2014, SOBC athletes at BC Games competed in athletics and swimming. Their expansion into BC Winter Games began in 2014 with basketball and continues in 2016 with the addition of figure skating.
“The BC Games are always an exciting opportunity for athletes and coaches to compete and learn. Our athletes get a lot out of competing and being part of the BC Games environment, and they put on a great demonstration of their skills as they participate alongside the mainstream athletes,” says Shawn Fevens, SOBC Manager, Sport.
SOBC athletes will also compete in the Abbotsford 2016 BC Summer Games.