Athletics
Background
The sport of Athletics provides the fundamentals of run, jump and throw for all other sports and many BC Summer Games alumni from athletics have moved on to national and international success in sports such as soccer, triathlon and snowboarding. Young athletes are introduced to this sport beginning with the Track Rascals and Run Jump Throw programs for children ages six and older. At the age of nine, athletes move into the Junior Development program which leads to Junior Development provincial championship meets and then the BC Summer Games for 14 and 15 year olds. During this period, children are introduced to track and field and cross country through their schools. If interest or talent develops, they move to local club programs for more competition and increased training opportunities. While the athletics programs in elementary schools are based on participation and physical fitness, by the time athletes reach secondary school their focus is the BC High School Championships, which are the goal of every school-aged athlete in the province. Many school athletes compete for local track and field clubs and combine their training with a variety of other school sports, such as soccer, volleyball, basketball and cycling.
Athlete Development
The BC Games serve as an introduction to multi-sport games for young athletes who will make up the BC Teams for the Royal Canadian Legion Championships and the Canadian Youth Championships in the years following the Summer Games. In 2009, over 75% of the BC Youth team was made up of BC Summer Games alumni. British Columbia qualifies more athletes to national teams per capita than any other province thanks to the success of the BC Athletics Junior Development program and to the high quality of coaching and officiating within our province. In addition, over 80% of national team members from BC are graduates of the BC Summer Games, with recent Games alumni from athletics competing in the 2009 Canadian Senior Championships in Toronto, the 2009 Canada Summer Games in Charlottetown, the 2009 IAAF World Youth Championships in Brassanone, Italy, the FISU World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia and the Jeux de la Francophonie in Beruit, Lebanon. Look for more of our BC Summer Games athletics alumni at the competitions all over the world in 2010 and beyond! Led by a team of hard-working Zone Reps in each of the 8 zones, the qualifying meets for the BC Summer Games take place in May and June. Athletes can qualify for up to three individual events and one relay team based on their results at these trials meets. Team coaches and managers are also selected at the Zone Trials meets.
Competition at the Games
The Athletics competition at the BC Summer Games features the top 14 and 15 year old athletes from each of the eight zones in the province. This age group has competed at the BC Summer Games since the first Games in 1978. During the Games, individual performances and personal bests are recognized and celebrated and are the focus of the athletics’ competition. The 2010 Games will look different for both athletes and spectators as new event distances are introduced to comply with Athletics Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development Model. Several races have been eliminated and athletes will be setting records in the new events which include 300 metres, 1200 metres, 2000 metres and 200 metre hurdles. The men’s pentathlon will change slightly with the final race moving to the new 1000 metre distance.
How to Watch Athletics
Enjoying a track and field competition is simple for spectators. Start with the speed and photo finishes in the sprint events and move on to the sheer strength and force of the hammer throw. Watch the strategy in the distance races and sit close to the pole vault pit as the group of vaulters in 2010 are aiming high for records. The toughest competition is the pentathlon, which features five events over two days. The athletes score points for each of the five performances. The points are added together and the athlete with the most points wins the event. It is not always easy to predict the outcome of the pentathlon as the leader can change after each event is scored! The athletes love the relays and you will see them crowd around to cheer on their teams. The relays are always scheduled as the final events on the last day of the Games as they act as an exciting conclusion to the competition.
For more info on Athletics, contact Athletics BC at www.bcathletics.org or (604) 333-3550.
Athletics – Special Olympics
Background
Special Olympics is a world-wide organization providing sports training and competition for persons with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Canada is recognized by Sport Canada as the main provider of these services and hosts National Games on a two year cycle. Special Olympics BC was incorporated in 1980 and now joins over a million athletes from over 170 countries throughout the world.
Athlete Development
The BC Summer Games are an integral component of the Special Olympics BC Athlete Developmental Model as they act as one of the main qualifying events for future National and International Competitions including the Canada Games. Many of the athletes you will have the opportunity to see in the Township of Langley will be competing for spots on the Special Olympics BC Training Team for the 2011 Western Canada Games and potentially the 2013 Canada Summer Games. The 2010 BC Summer Games are just one of the opportunities to showcase some of the best young talent Special Olympics BC has to offer.
Coaching Development
Led by some of Special Olympics BC’s most experienced coaches from around the province, the BC Games are used as a stepping stone for coaches wishing to move onto higher levels of competition including Western Canada Games, Canada Games and International competitions. Special Olympics BC coaches must complete a number of high level certifications to be selected to coach at the BC Games and consider the Games an excellent opportunity to develop further skills and experience a high level of competition.
Competition at the Games
Special Olympics BC is proud to submit a team of 16 athletes in the sport of athletics to the BC Summer Games. Athletes competing in athletics were selected based on previous performances that matched or exceeded time standards set out by Special Olympics BC to ensure a high level of competition.
For more info on Athletics - Special Olympics, contact Special Olympics British Columbia at www.specialolympics.bc.ca or (604) 737-3078.