Athletics

The More You Know

BC Athletics is the Provincial Sport Organization responsible for Track & Field, Road Running, Marathons/Ultras, Cross Country/Trail Running and Race Walking.  More information about their programs can be found at www.bcathletics.org.

Special Olympics BC is the provincial organization that provides year-round programs and competition for 4100 athletes with an intellectual disability, in 55 communities, with the support of 3200 trained volunteers.  More information about their programs can be found at www.bcspecialolympics.bc.ca.

History

The sport of Athletics (Track & Field) has its roots in human prehistory.  These events are among the oldest of all sporting competitions as running, jumping, and throwing are natural and universal forms of human physical expression.  Track and field events were recorded at the ancient Olympic Games and were considered the foremost sport competitions at the 1896 Summer Olympic Games.

Athletics at the BC Games

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.

The Athletics competition at the BC Summer Games includes Para Athletics and athletes representing Special Olympics BC.  Athletes with an intellectual disability train with qualified coaches for the opportunity to compete at the BC Games.  The athletics competition at the BC Summer Games features the top 14 and 15 year old athletes from across the province.  Athletes can qualify for up to three individual events and one relay team based on their results at the zone trial meets.