Senior's Games Closed

By 250 News

(Donna Hazell, Jannette Ferns, Barb Hyttenrauch, Jeannette Kiefd and Joan Ferguson)

Prince George, B.C. - The 21^st annual BC Senior's Games in Prince George is now officially over after the Closing Ceremonies this afternoon. 2700 athletes participated in 27 events and that included Jeannette Keifd, one of the teams competing in the Dragon Boat events.

“We're from Salmon Arm and Sicamous and we ended up with a gold medal... amazing.” Keifd says it wasn't all about fun and games, “it's a lot of hard work...one day a week we had especially for practicing, but we paddled four times a week, some of us—I did all summer.”

Earlier today, Prince George Host Committee Chair Les Waldie took the time to thank everyone who made the 2008 games a success. “It is tough to find something that has more punch than a simple 'thank you,' To my committee, and their committee, and their committee's committee, one top notch job.”

Waldie also handed over the Games flag to the Chair of the Richmond Host Committee. "It's going to be a hard act to follow," says Jim Lamond. However, he says they learned a lot. "We couldn't have picked a better city than Prince George, to come up and see, but at the same time next year, we're going to try and better them.”

Lamond says when they host the games in just over a year, they'll take advantage of the Speed Skating Oval, built for the Olympics. “The amazing part is the main event will be in before the Olympics 5 months before.” He says “I just hope they take the legacy that the Senior's leave, I hope our Olympic athletes do as well as the commitment of some of our athletes.”

Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley says he's looking forward to the games in the years to come. “The folks I've been talking to I want to tell you 'you're the greatest,' I can't wait 'til I have an opportunity to participate in these games.

Here are this year's medal standings:

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