PENTICTON – British Columbia’s best young athletes, along with their
coaches and officials have gathered in the City of Penticton for the
2016 BC Winter Games.

More than 1,200 athletes will compete in 17 different sports at
venues throughout the South Okanagan. Competitions for athletes with
a disability are also included with events scheduled in basketball,
figure skating and cross country skiing. The athletes will be
supported by over 330 coaches and 184 officials who will share their
knowledge and expertise with the athletes and have earned
certifications in order to support this competition.

To further recognize this important provincial celebration of sport
and community development, Feb. 25-28, 2016, has been officially
declared BC Winter Games Week.

The Games provide a training ground for emerging high performance
athletes. Kristi Richards of Summerland is a BC Games alumna, who
competed for Team Canada at the 2006 and 2010 Olympics in freestyle
skiing. She will return to speak to the athletes at the Opening
Ceremony of the 2016 BC Winter Games.