What Can I Expect at the Games?
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about what to expect at the Games. Also use the links to the right for more information.
| Where will I stay? | You will stay in accommodation sites with your coaches and other athletes. The local school district provides the use of its schools' classrooms to serve as Games accommodation. The BC Games rules permit some athletes, depending on where they reside, to stay in their own home; however, most sports require all athletes to stay in Games accommodation. Refer to the BC Games General Rules (BC Summer Games; BC Winter Games) and the sport-specific rules in the Technical Package (BC Summer Games; BC Winter Games). |
| Who will stay with me? | All of the athletes for one sport or one sport's gender will stay in the same location. Males and females are in separate rooms. Generally all members of the same gender from a zone team will be in its own classroom; large teams may be divided into two rooms and smaller teams may have others from a different zone with them. Zone coaches or adult supervisors will be in the classrooms with their athletes and will act in a supervisory capacity. |
| How will I get around the community? | Once you arrive in the community, Games transportation will be provided to get you around the Games. Scheduled bus service will get you to/from meals, your accommodation site, and your sport venue. Shuttles will get you to/from special events. Sports travel together, though sometimes a few zone teams will travel at a time. The travel details will be outlined in the Bus & Meal Schedule for your sport. This will be available to your Head Coach prior to the Games and you will receive a copy when you check in at the accreditation centre on Thursday. |
| What will I eat? | Breakfasts and dinners will be served at central food services location. You will be able to select your food items from a buffet-style menu. Lunches will be delivered to your sport venue (or accommodation site) as outlined in your Bus & Meal Schedule. Games volunteers will ensure nutritious meals are provided but that doesn’t mean everything offered will be to your liking. Please be patient and understanding. With as many as 3,000 participants to feed, it is challenging to provide meal options that will be liked by everyone! If you have an allergy or special dietary neeeds for medical/health reasons, it is important that the medical/allergy form is completed prior to the Games - a link to the online form will be available on the Games pages - (BC Summer Games; BC Winter Games). The Food Services Directorate has a role devoted entirely to the handling of special dietary requests. There will be a separate space in each food centre for the preparation of special requests. |
| What events will be held during the Games? | In addition to your sport competition and the sport competition of the other sports at the Games, there will be special events, including the Opening Ceremony on Thursday, the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, and special events for participants on Friday and Saturday evenings. It is expected that all Games participants attend the Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony. It will be up to your zone Head Coach if you are permitted to attend the special events on Friday and Saturday. Note that some sports have competition scheduled into the evenings in order to ensure that all competition is completed by Sunday morning. |
| What can I expect at the special events? | The Opening Ceremony on Thursday is the official start of the Games. The Games participants are the focus of this celebration with the parade of participants. You will parade into the ceremony with your zone and the Games torch will be lit. On Sunday, before you depart for home there is also a Closing Ceremony.
On Friday and Saturday nights there will special events; there are generally dances but the Games volunteers will plan something especially for you. The special events are a highlight of the Games for many participants. Your zone Head Coach will determine if you are permitted to attend the special events. |
| What is the typical schedule for the Games? | Generally participants arrive at the Games on Thursday morning. They will first go through the accreditation centre and then will go to their accommodation site. If the sport has scheduled a practice, they will then go to their sport venue and back to their accommodation site. Beginning in the early afternoon, participants will be taken by sport to the Welcoming Banquet. They will then be marshalled for the parade into the Opening Ceremony. Competitions run on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for most sports. There will be participant special events on Friday and Saturday evenings. Of course, on each day participants will be transported between their accommodation site, sport venue, and meals. On Sunday, there is a Closing Ceremony before everyone departs for home. |
| When are medals presented? | Medal presentation ceremonies are held at each sport venue at the end of competition. For sports with many events, medal presentations will be held throughout the competition. Refer to the Sport Schedule for detail (BC Winter Games; BC Summer Games). |
| Are there any rules regarding my use of Social Media? | The BC Games encourages you to connect with us on Social Media including using your personal account before and while at the Games. Please review the Social Media policy and ensure you abide by its principles. |
| What if I get sick or injured during the Games? | Medical volunteers will be at each sport venue during the scheduled competition and practice times. These volunteers, in conjunction with the Games Medical physicians, are responsible for the treatment of all Games participants. Medical Services are available on a 24-hour basis during the Games. Medical volunteers are always the first and only responders to injuries. Medical problems or injuries will be dealt with on-site, if possible. If further attention is needed, transportation to the Games Medical Clinic will be provided. |
| What time is curfew? | Curfew in Games accommodation is 11:00 pm for all participants, including adults. Quiet time is at 10:30 and lights out at 11:00 pm. No one is allowed to leave Games accommodation after curfew. Anyone who misses curfew will be subject to disciplinary action, which could include expulsion from the Games. |
| What happens if I miss curfew or break other rules? | Anyone who misses curfew, which is 11:00 pm, will be subject to disciplinary action, which could include expulsion from the Games.
Anyone who damages Games venues or infrastructure will be held responsible. This may include payment of associated costs and/or disciplinary action. All athletes, coaches, and officials at the BC Games are expected to conduct themselves, at all times, in the spirit of fair play and in a responsible manner. This conduct is expected from the time they board BC Games transportation (or arrive at the accreditation centre by their own transportation) until they return home. It is expected that all participants will fulfill their responsibilities. Individuals, teams, or entire sports that fail to do so, will be subject to appropriate discipline. Remember that you are a representative of your sport; what you do can impact your sport’s inclusion in future BC Games. Review the participant code of conduct. |
| Where can I get Games photos? | During the Games volunteers will be taking zone team photos, medal presentation photos, and general Games photos. Team photo opportunities are arranged for by your coaches upon arrival at the accreditation centre on Thursday. All photos will be available to download on the Games Flickr site. |
| Where will results and Games information be posted? | Results will be posted as soon as they are received from the sport venue. Results and Games information can be found at www.bcgames.org. Also, join in the discussion and follow the action:  |
| If I am done my competition can I leave? | It is expected that all Games participants will remain at the Games for the duration. If you’re staying in Games accommodation, you must remain in accommodation until Sunday. Anyone who removes themselves from Games accommodation prior to the completion of the Games will no longer be eligible to compete and may be subject to other disciplinary action.
Participants who finish competition prior to the final day of the Games (Sunday) may remove themselves from Games accommodation by having their Provincial Advisor sign the required form. Note that it is expected early departure is arranged prior to the Games -- please be sure to inform your Zone Representative so that appropriate travel arrangements can be selected for you during the registration process. Also note that some sports do not permit athletes to depart early - discuss with your Zone Representative or Provincial Advisor. Any participant removing him/herself from BC Games accommodation is also removing him/herself from competition and from BC Games transportation for their return trip. This means that he/she cannot continue to compete AND will need to make her/his own transportation arrangements for their trip home, at their own expense. Speak to your Provincial Advisor for more information. Note that some sports require participants to remain at the Games, stay in Games accommodation, and travel to/from the Games on Games-provided transportation – refer to the technical packages for details (BC Summer Games; BC Winter Games). |
| Will I receive commemorative items from the Games? | Your customized accreditation badge, a Games pin, and a souvenir program will be provided to you at the accreditation centre. These are yours to keep. You can also download Games photos free of charge from the Flickr site. |
| Will Games merchandise be available? | Official Games merchandise will be available for each Games. Check out the Games pages for information about their merchandise sales (BC Winter Games; BC Summer Games). During the Games there will merchandise sales at the accreditation centre when you arrive on Thursday and various other locations throughout the Games. |
| Where there be opportunities for practice? | Where feasible, your sport may arrange for one or more of the following on Thursday:
Refer to the Games page for links to Sport Schedules as they are available (BC Summer Games; BC Winter Games). |
| Why do I have to be accredited? | All participants must go through the accreditation centre in person. The accreditation centre is only open on Thursday until 5 pm; no one is permitted to arrive at the Games after this time. Accrediting participants enables us to confirm who is at the Games and it also a time when you will receive key information, including your Games accreditation badge and the Bus & Meal Schedule and Sport Schedule for your sport. |
| Will bottled water be provided? | Bottled water will not be provided to Games participants. Most communities in BC have superb drinking water. There will be water fountains and/or water stations at every sport venue. Bring a water bottle with you so you’ll be able to keep it filled. |
| Where do I go if I am scheduled to fly home after the Games? | After the Closing Ceremony, participants travelling home on charter flights will be taken to the holding area where Games volunteers will provide a comfortable environment for you to unwind and wait for your flight home. The holding area will contain snacks, movies, games, light entertainment, and quiet places to rest. Dinner service will be provided between specific hours. The 11:00 pm curfew is still in effect.
Check your transportation letter carefully, where you will find the scheduled check-in time for your flight. Be sure to keep your accreditation badge with you at all times as this will serve as your identification for accessing the holding area and boarding your flight. |
