Organizers of the 2022 Prince George BC Summer Games had one last gold medal to give out on Friday.
Games president Rene McCloskey and vice-president Selen Alpay presented the medal to Prince George musician and artist Kym Gouchie, for her unique contributions to the games.
In addition to performing at the opening ceremony of the games, Gouchie designed the ribbon used on all 600 medals presented to athletes in July.
“It is the first time in B.C. (Games) history that the host society designed the ribbon,” McCloskey said.
The idea to design a ribbon to reflect the unique local history and geography, as well as celebrate Lheidli T’enneh culture, came at the last minute, Alpay said. Gouchie only had a week to develop the design, in order to get the ribbons made in time for the games.
“I thought about the animals and those who had been before us,” Gouchie said. Her design incorporates the bear, moose and eagle, along with a reminder that the games were hosted on the traditional lands of the Lheidli T’enneh.
In addition, she included fireweed – a plant found across the north – because like an athlete saving energy for a final push to the finish line, fireweed grows up then blooms in a burst of colour.
Bringing her music and culture to the 6,000 attendees at the games opening ceremonies was “one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had,” Gouchie added.
“It was an incredible experience, to see just a sea of young people.”
