Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to speak about the 1999 Western Canada Summer Games which were recently held in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Our team included 131 NWT residents from 18 communities. They joined almost 2000 other competitors from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.
Mr. Speaker, there are many special stories about Team NWT that I would like to share with you. First, I would like to congratulate all the team members for their performance. Our athletes were excellent ambassadors of our northern spirit.
Team NWT took home three medals. Jonathan Kurszewski of Fort Smith won a gold medal in the javelin by throwing his personal best distance.
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In wrestling, Peter Houweling and Aziz Ahmed, both of Yellowknife, won silver and bronze medals.
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Mr. Speaker, there are two other stories about Team NWT that I would like to share. Our first ever wheelchair athlete, Vital Manuel from Fort Good Hope, competed in tennis. He represents a movement to include persons with disabilities in mainstream sports. Dawn Tremblay, of Yellowknife, competed in wrestling. She represents the successful promotion of female athletes in non-traditional sports.
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Mr. Speaker, I again would like to congratulate all members of Team NWT for their fine performance. I am sure that the Members would join me in saying that we are proud of them and wish them the very best as they progress in their chosen sports. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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