A large contingent of Cowichan Valley athletes are competing this week in Abbotsford at the 2023 55+ BC Games.
The 55+ BC Games is the province’s largest annual multi-sport competition for those aged 55 and over. This year they are being held Aug. 22-26.
Among the athletes is 86-year-old Larry Fiege, who this year “is only doing pole vault and 100m sprint”,” according to his son, Gary Fiege.
“He holds the Canadian record for his age bracket and is No. 2 in the world,” the proud son, noted.
Joining the elder Fiege at the 2023 55+ BC Games this week are eight competitors from Chemainus including: Todd Lefebure, Susan Harrison and Morris Jenson (golf), Barb Bradford, Beverley Bruce, and Peter Crook (pickleball), along with Tim Hendrie and Nola Hendrie (track and field).
Athletes from Cobble Hill that are competing at the Games include: Rhonda Scheiber, Jane Stone, and Cathy Villeneuve (equestrian), Laurie Arscott and Deb Morrow (ice curling), and Mike Walter (soccer).
Cowichan Bay has four athletes at this year’s event. Anne Muir (equestrian), Geoff Tomlins (golf), Lynn Derry (ice curling) and Bob Velpel (pickleball) are all competing.
Athletes from Crofton include Wendy and Bruce Carey (carpet bowling), and Susan Hawkes (pickleball).
From Duncan, Joan Ayers and Cindy Shillito (carpet bowling) are competing, along with Joe Sawchuk and Maggie Simms (cribbage), Corry McMillan (darts), Meryle Hilberry and Mary Watts (equestrian), Cheryl Martin (golf), Francie Ellison (ice curling), Tracy Clement (slo pitch), William Chaster (soccer), and Frank Enns (table tennis), as well as Sheila Bateman, and Larry Fiege and Robin King (track and field).
Honeymoon Bay has crew of carpet bowlers at the event including: Bert Lambert, John and Paulette McCaughey, and Anne Orman.
From Lake Cowichan, Gary Goodfellow (carpet bowling) Rocky Wise (golf), and Marg Radcliffe, are also attending the Games.
Mark Baker (archery), Teresa McKinnon and Leslie Park (equestrian), Doug Goodwin (pickleball) and Kent Harris (soccer), all of whom are from Mill Bay, are taking part as well.
From Shawnigan Lake, Moria J. Breckon, Tracey Hennessey, and Catherine Royle (equestrian) are joined by Lora Favor and Sally Hansen (hockey), and Doug Woodrow (track and field).
And finally, Bob Fish (pickleball) and John Rudzik (track and field) from Youbou, are also competing.
Keep en eye out for a future edition of the Cowichan Valley Citizen to see how Larry Fiege and the other Cowichan Valley athletes fare.