Centennial Cup Tours Province

Team Nova Scotia athletes performed better than ever at the 2001 Canada Games in August, and they have the hardware to prove it.

In addition to 46 medals, the team won the Centennial Cup for making the greatest improvement of all provinces and territories since the previous Summer Games. The cup will be touring Nova Scotia, starting in Wolfville on April 23.

"Canada Games 2001 was a great experience for me," said Jayson Hilchie of Coldbrook, a track and field athlete who won a gold medal in the 4x100 relay. "Athletes from every sport travelled around to the different venues and cheered on other teams and athletes from our province. It was that team spirit that propelled us to our best medal haul ever."

About 450 young athletes from communities across Nova Scotia competed in the 2001 Canada Games in London, Ont. In addition to winning more medals, the efforts of all the athletes contributed to the improved standings that won the team the Centennial Cup.

For example, when mountain biker Craig deGier of Lower Sackville had a mid-race breakdown, he slung his bike over his shoulder and ran to the finish line. By finishing the race, rather than giving up, he improved Team Nova Scotia's overall standings.

"It's inspiring to see the dedication of our athletes who go the extra mile for themselves, for the team and for Nova Scotia," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister responsible for the Sport and Recreation Commission. "I encourage all Nova Scotians to celebrate our athletes' success as the Centennial Cup tours the province."

For more information about the tour schedule contact the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission at 902-424-3913.

After its tour, the Centennial Cup will be displayed at the Nova Scotia Sport Heritage Centre in Halifax from October until the 2003 Winter Games. They will be held from Feb. 22 to March 8 in Bathurst-Campbellton, N.B. About 320 Nova Scotia athletes, coaches and managers are expected to participate.

Nova Scotia's participation in the Canada Games is managed by the Canada Games Management Group. The group is unique in Canada and is the first non-government group to manage a team in the Games. The group is volunteer-driven, works in partnership with sport organizations and oversees a fully-volunteer mission staff for each Games.

Team Nova Scotia is funded by the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission. The Atlantic Lottery Corporation sponsors Team Atlantic -- supporting all teams from Atlantic Canada for the 2003 Games.