From the West Coast to the Prairies – Team BC ready to compete in Winnipeg

It was a very early morning for some Team BC athletes as they headed east to Winnipeg for the 2017 Canada Summer Games.  But waking up at sunrise on the West Coast didn’t dampen the spirits of Victoria-based athletes who had to fly to Vancouver for their flight to Winnipeg.

“It took me awhile to wake up,” said Sam Coulsen-Willet, a hammer thrower.  “But now that I’m here, I’m ready to go. “  He said he’ll probably get some extra sleep when he arrives in Manitoba.  “I look forward to the whole experience. The Games are a great opportunity.”

“I am feeling super excited and I really look forward to spending a lot of time with the team and to catch some other sports,” said Lauren D’Anglo of Victoria, who will race the 400 metres at the University of Manitoba Stadium.  She doesn’t compete for a few days, so she will spend some time preparing and “getting my mind and body ready.”

Discus thrower Max Szczawinski, also from Victoria, is thrilled to be part of Team BC. “I am excited to be at an event that’s more than just track and field.”  And he’s proud to wear the Team BC uniform. “I think it’s pretty cool. I’m happy with it.”

The baseball team is pumped for the competition in Winnipeg according to Dylan Ohlsen of Chilliwack. “I am just excited to get down there and see what’s going on how everything is. It should be a cool experience. We’re ready to go and compete and bring home a gold medal.”

A second flight of athletes from the West Coast arrived Thursday evening. They spent the evening checking in and getting acquainted with the services and facilities at the athletes village at the University of Manitoba Campus.

An amazing First Nations woman joined us at the Winnipeg Airport and sang a First Nations song while drumming a Team BC drum. “I saw Team BC and the mission staff with drums and offered to drum and sing a few songs to welcome the BC athletes, ” said Kund Jaadee, from Haida Gwaii. She happened to be visiting Winnipeg and meeting her daughter at the airport.

The Team BC delegation includes 455 athletes, coaches, managers, technical support and mission staff.