Team B.C. athletes turned in a record-setting performance at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta.
Team B.C. collected 30 gold medals, eclipsing the 28 that were won at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Nova Scotia.
Team B.C. collected 87 medals overall — 30 gold, 28 silver and 29 bronze — just one shy of the 88 Team B.C. athletes won at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George.
One of this year’s bronze medals came from the female hockey team which included Chilliwack’s Kate Klassen.
It was the first medal for Team B.C. in female hockey since the won silver in 1991.
Chilliwack’s Ben Hagkull competed in the wheelchair basketball competition, but his team finished outside the medals.
“What an incredible performance despite trying circumstances,” said Team BC Chef de Mission Jennifer Scott, referencing the frigid temperatures in Red Deer. “Our athletes and coaches pushed themselves to the limit to create outstanding performances for this province. I salute each and every one of them for their patience with organizers as they did what they could to provide the optimal competitive environment.”
Team B.C. was fourth in the overall medal count behind Quebec (146), Ontario (105) and Alberta (100).
Though British Columbia accounts for 13 per cent of Canada’s population, Team B.C. won 17 per cent of the medals at the Games.
“I am so proud of B.C.’s athletes, coaches and mission staff,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “From curling to skiing to women’s hockey, it was an exhilarating and action-packed Winter Games filled with so many accomplishments, great stories and a record setting gold medal count.”
Beyond the field of play, Team B.C. athletes contributed to the Canada Games Legacy Mitts for Many project that supported the Mustard Seed organization in Red Deer.
Team B.C. donated over 600 pairs of mitts to the program.
The 2021 Canada Summer Games will take place in Niagara, Ontario.