Over 3,000 athletes and coaches gathered for the opening ceremonies of the 30th BC Summer Games in Abbotsford this evening.
Athletes will compete in 18 different sports, from equestrian to synchronized swimming, over the next four days.
While they have an average age of just 14 years old, some of the athletes have big dreams.
“It was a pretty big moment for me,” said Olympic swimmer Brent Hayden.
In the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Hayden won a bronze medal-winner in the 100-metre freestyle.
But 14 years before that, his first major competition was the BC Summer Games, winning six gold medals.
“It was my first multi-sport experience. Just being this lanky, socially awkward kid from Mission B.C….it was an amazing experience. It was kind of the setting off point for my Olympic journey,” he said.
For a list of events at the BC Summer Games, click here.