Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare lit the Olympic Cauldron on Thursday night to honour B.C. athletes competing in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and salute the start of the Games in the Korean host city.
Olympic medallist Brent Hayden and BC Pavilion Corporation CEO Ken Cretney joined Beare at the symbolic lighting.
“The Olympics represent the highest level of achievement for athletes, and we couldn’t be prouder of our B.C. competitors,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “I know that all British Columbians will be joining me in cheering on Team Canada in every event at the Winter Games.”
Two hundred and twenty-five Team Canada athletes participated in this morning’s Opening Ceremony in Korea. Sixty-three Team Canada athletes have a B.C. connection, and 32 of those were born in the province or have a hometown here. Many of those and others train in B.C. and receive support from the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific or viaSport Regional Alliance partners.
Photo credit: Ernie Race