Team BC on the ground in Prince George
Prince George welcomed its home team to the 2015 Canada Winter Games today when athletes from across the province arrived to compete in one of the nation’s largest multi-sport winter events.
Among the members of Team BC were Alex Chizawsky of Abbotsford and Cormac Chui of Vancouver, two 17-year-old competitors who will vie for medals in short track speed skating.
Chizawsky has come to Prince George with some solid experience under his belt. He has competed in two BC Winter Games events and brought home five medals in 2014.
“I really want to have fun at these Games and if I get a medal, that’s a bonus,” said Chizawsky. “This is different than a BC Games because I don’t know the other athletes from across Canada as well. I saw some of them at nationals in Prince George last year and the competition will be tough. My racing strategy will be to figure out how I can get to the finals.”
Chizawsky thinks Team BC will put together a strong relay team. Racing alongside him will be his friend and teammate Cormac Chui.
Chui dominated the 2014 BC Winter Games, taking four gold medals in short track. He’s put in long hours of training in advance of the games and is focused on performing well.
“I go in to win,” said Chui. “Before the race I try to relax and think of winning, I focus on that.”
Chui and the rest of his short track male team are all from the lower mainland. The group trains together, which is something that he thinks will give them an edge in this competition.
“I want to medal and I am going to try to be in the A finals for all of my races,” said Chui. “I’ve been training six nights a week in skating and then two cycling sessions a week – I feel ready.”
The Canada Winter Games officially begin on Friday with the opening ceremonies taking place at 7 .m.
“We couldn’t be more proud of the team of athletes, coaches and mission staff we have assembled for these Games,” said Rob Needham, Chef de Mission for Team BC. “Our province will be well represented and it is a special honour for us to welcome the rest of the country to B.C. as the host team.”
Held every four years, the Canada Winter Games brings together more than 2,500 athletes from across the country during two weeks of sporting competition.
The 2015 Games are unique in that they will be the first host games for the province of B.C.