The 217 medals that Canada won at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto was a record, and B.C. Games organizers pointed out that their multi-sport event was the first Games experience for many of these athletes.
Team Canada won 78 gold, 69 silver and 70 bronze medals in Toronto, and the 49 B.C. Games alumni were part of that success, adding 22 medals to Canada’s impressive count.
Pitt Meadows water polo player Monika Eggens was part of that story. Eggens and her sister Carmen both won silver for Canada at the Pan Ams, and Monika was also a competitor at the 2004 B.C. Games, when she was just 13 years of age.
“The strength of the provincial sport system is evident as we see the progression of athletes towards events like the Pan American Games,” said Kelly Mann, CEO of B.C. Games Society.
“We are proud to have played a role in providing a valuable multi-sport competition for these athletes at the B.C. Games and as part of Team BC. We know that our alumni draw upon that experience as they represent Canada at international games.”