Team BC names Tina Jiang and Leo Sammarelli as flag bearers for Closing Ceremony

Richmond’s Tina Jiang from Golf and Vancouver’s Leo Sammarelli from Athletics will carry the flag into the Closing Ceremony of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games after turning in exceptional performances during week two of competition. The Closing Ceremony will take place on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT at Niagara Falls.

MEDAL STANDINGS | SCHEDULE + RESULTS | PHOTOS

Jiang is the first golfer to be named BC flag bearer since the debut of the sport at the Games in 2009. She set the Canada Games record for lowest 72-hole score at 14-under-par, breaking the previous record set by fellow Team BC alumnus Kevin Kwon at 13-under-par in 2013. Sammarelli, a class T54 wheelchair racer, won a trio of medals, including a gold on the track.

“Tina and Leo have been exceptional members of Team BC both on and off the field of play,” said Team BC Chef de Mission Jennifer Scott. “We’re honoured to be represented by two
athletes who proved their mettle against the top competition in Canada and helped to set the example for what it means to be a member of Team BC.”

Along with establishing herself as the new record holder for 72-hole tournament score, Jiang also snapped the record for lowest single-round score for a female at the Games, breaking the record set by her teammate Lauren Kim (-5) earlier in the tournament with a six-under-par.

When she isn’t on the course competing, Jiang takes time to teach kids at the junior clinic at her home course, the Quilchena Golf and Country Club.

“I’m super excited,” said Jiang. “I feel so honoured to be the first Team BC golfer to be the flag bearer.”

Sammarelli came away from the 2022 Games with gold in the 1500m wheelchair race, silver in the 400m, and bronze in the 100m. A multi-sport athlete, Sammarelli won three silver medals at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Para-Nordic Cross-country skiing and was a national champion boxer prior to his spinal cord injury.

The Vancouver native is a leader in the para sport community and is passionate about helping others push their limits and get physically active. He is also a fierce advocate and pioneer in the world of Adaptive Boxing, ascending the Grouse Grind on his hands to raise money for the growing sport in 2020.

"It's definitely an honour for me," said Sammarelli about carrying the flag. "I say an honour just for the people back at home. My results are a credit to them as well. I wouldn't be here with BC Wheelchair Sports and all the support I've been getting. All my gyms and my coaches — I wouldn't be here wihtout these guys, so I'm super grateful."

Team BC wrapped up the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games third in the medal standings, with a total of 128 medals, including 34 Gold, 51 Silver, and 43 Bronze. 

Highlights from the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games:

• In Athletics competition, Chanell Alexa Botsis set a Canada Games Record in Hammer Throw on the first day of week two, setting the tone for a successful performance for BC Athletics.

• Box Lacrosse was featured at the Canada Games for the first time ever on the women’s side and for the first time since 1985 on the men’s side. BC came away with women’s Silver and men’s Gold, capping off an emotional week that saw the men’s team play for teammate Ben Pawluk, whose cancer treatment kept him from the Games.

• Rugby Sevens made its debut at the Canada Games and the BC women won historic Gold over Quebec in the final after a dominant tournament.

• In Golf, Team BC dominated on the way to Gold in the team event. Tina Jiang and Cooper Humphreys won individual Gold while Lauren Kim won Silver. Jiang and Kim both broke single-round Canada Games records while Jiang broke the Canada Games record for lowest 72-hole score at 14-under-par.

• Triathlon’s Colette Reimer capped off a perfect Canada Games by helping BC win Gold in the mixed team relay. Reimer also won Gold in the women’s triathlon sprint and supersprint events earlier in week one.