BC Summer Games

Cowichan’s Brayden Zuback was recognized with the W.R. Bennett Award after winning a pair of gold medals in his individual (55kg) and team events at the 2026 BC Summer Games.

The W.R. Bennett Award for Athletic Excellence is the BC Games’ most prestigious honour, recognizing exceptional athletic achievement and leadership. Named after former premier Bill Bennett, who established the BC Games in 1978, it includes a $2,500 bursary to support the recipient’s future athletic or educational pursuits.

Asked who deserved the biggest thank you for his success at the Games, Brayden’s answer came without hesitation. “My dad.” His father, Nick, served as the coach of his Zone 6 – Vancouver Island team.

📰 https://bcgames.org/2026/07/29/north-cowichans-brayden-zuback-wins-w-r-bennett-award/

📸 Mary McBride (1, 3), Miiad Nabizadeh (2)

What a week, Kelowna. 🏅

With the final medals handed out and the fields, beaches, and gyms finally quiet, the Kelowna 2026 BC Summer Games have officially come to a close.

It was a week filled with determination, sportsmanship, new friendships, and moments of pride across every venue in Kelowna and the Okanagan. From packed stands to podium finishes, this community showed up in a big way for these young athletes.

We would like to thank Westbank First Nation and Okanagan Indian Band for the privilege to live, work, and play on the tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land), that is the unceded and traditional territory of the syilx Okanagan peoples, the original stewards of these lands and to whom we give thanks to as our hosts.

Thank you to the athletes, coaches, families, volunteers, supporters, Friends of the Games, and this incredible city for making the 2026 BC Summer Games one to remember. From personal bests to podium moments to the quiet acts of kindness happening all over town, this week had it all.

To every volunteer who showed up early and stayed late, to every family who cheered until they were hoarse, to every athlete who left it all out there: we see you, and we're grateful.

To everyone who travelled from across the province to be part of this week, we hope you had a safe journey home.

The torch now passes to Penticton, BC, host of the 2028 BC Summer Games, which will celebrate 50 years of competition and return to the roots of the Games, as an original host community👏

More recaps, highlights, and thank yous are coming to our channels as we close out the week. Stay tuned.

City of Kelowna | Westbank First Nation | Okanagan Indian Band | BC Games

DAILY UPDATE: Sunday, July 26 🏅

Here we are, the final day of the Kelowna 2026 BC Summer Games! 🎉 Today is all about Bronze and Gold medal games, followed by medal presentations as our athletes cross the finish line on an incredible week of competition.

📍 Want to catch the last of the action? Check out our Event Navigator for today's schedules, venues, and activities.

🌡️ Heat & Air Quality: conditions remain stable, but we're continuing to monitor closely. Remember to stay hydrated, seek shade when you can, and take care of one another as we close things out.

💛 To every athlete, coach, official, volunteer, and family who made this week unforgettable, thank you. Your sportsmanship, energy, and passion for sport have made these Games something truly special. Whoo hoo, Kelowna, what a Games!

📸 James Maclennan

DAILY UPDATE: Saturday, July 25 🏅

Another busy day ahead in Kelowna! 🌞 Today marks the final day of competition for Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Golf, Towed Watersports, and Wrestling, so let's send those athletes off with a big cheer. Meanwhile, several other sports are competing for a spot in tomorrow's Bronze and Gold games. The intensity is real!

📍 Heading out to a venue today? Check out our Event Navigator for schedules, venues, activities, and the latest Games updates, all in one place.

🌡️ Heat & Air Quality: air quality has improved, but we're continuing to monitor conditions closely and will update if anything changes. Remember to stay hydrated, seek shade when you can, and look out for one another out there.

💛 Good luck to every athlete competing today, whether you're wrapping up your Games or playing for a medal spot tomorrow. Kelowna is cheering you on!

🔗 All important links, including the Event Navigator and Heat & Air Quality resources, can be found at the link in our bio 👉 "BC Summer Games Links"

📸 Nora Varga