July 18, 2016
Alberta Summer Games wrap-up in Leduc
Alberta Sport Connection – Leduc, AB – The Alberta Summer Games, a province-wide summer sports competition for Albertans 11 – 17 years of age, came to a close on July 17. More than 1,800 athletes from throughout Alberta competed in 20 sports over the four-day competition.
“The last four days in Leduc have been a wonderful example of the kind of competition, sportsmanship and comradery that are central to what it means to be Albertan,” said Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism. “Congratulations to all the athletes who participated in the 2016 Alberta Summer Games, and thank you to the organizers, volunteers and the City and County of Leduc for their amazing hospitality and helping to create memories that will surely last a lifetime.”
The Summer Games featured a wide variety of sports including: athletics, cycling, baseball, swimming, triathlon, rugby, basketball, soccer, canoe/kayak and beach volleyball. For a full list of Summer Games sports and more information see: Alberta Games.
“Alberta Sport Connection is committed to sport development and proud to support, encourage and develop young athletes through events like the Alberta Games, which we organize with the help of outstanding host communities like the City of Leduc”, said John Short, Chair of ASC. “These Games were top-notch and the competition was as impressive as the level of sportsmanship. We are so pleased with the job the City and the County of Leduc, and all of our partners have done in making these Games a success.”
Besides medals for individual and team performances, three additional awards were presented at the closing ceremonies of the Games:
Alberta Cup: Zone achieving the most medal points: Zone 3 (Calgary);
Minister’s Cup: Zone showing the greatest improvement from one Alberta Games to the next: Zone 3 (Calgary);
Spirit of Sport Award: Zone best demonstrating the spirit of fair play, sportsmanship, team spirit and cooperation on and off the field of play: Zone 2 (Big Country).
More than 40 athletes who have participated in past Alberta Games have gone on to represent Canada at the Olympics. The list includes: 2016 Games spokesperson, speed skater, Gilmore Junio; Olympic Gold Medalist mogul skier, Jennifer Heil and Olympic skeleton athlete, Melissa Hollingsworth (both competed in past Alberta Summer Games); and 2012 Summer Olympic Games Cyclist, Tara Whiten.
The Alberta government provided $420,000 in support of the 2016 Alberta Summer Games through Alberta Sport Connection, which includes a cultural grant of $70,000. The Alberta Games generate about $3 million in economic impact for host communities. For more about the Alberta Summer Games, visit www.albertagames.com.
The next Alberta Summer Games will be hosted by the City and County of Grande Prairie in 2018.
Alberta Sport Connection is dedicated to making Alberta the premier sport delivery system in Canada and to enhancing, advocating and inspiring participation and partnerships as Albertans strive for excellence in sport.
More information on Alberta Sport Connection can be found at www.albertasport.ca, or follow us on Twitter @AlbertaSport_
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Media inquiries may be directed to:
David Hennig
Alberta Sport Connection
(780) 721-0686 (mobile) (780) 415-0272
Email: david.hennig@albertasport.ca
Don S. Wilson, Director, AB Games & Marketing
Alberta Sport Connection
(403) 473-2572 (mobile) (403) 297-2729
Email: don.wilson@albertasport.ca