The territorial government has congratulated Team Yukon on its participation at this year’s Canada Summer Games.

Nearly 200 athletes, coaches, managers and support staff represented the territory at the Canada Summer Games in Niagara, Ont., Aug. 6-21.

Team Yukon competed in athletics, basketball, canoe, kayak, cycling, golf, soccer, beach and court volleyball, swimming and wrestling.

Mara Roldan, cycling, and Darby McIntyre, athletics, were selected as opening and closing Team Yukon flagbearers.

Several Yukon athletes achieved personal bests this year while competing against some of the finest athletes in the country.

Roldan had an outstanding performance, placing fifth in the women’s road race.

Men’s soccer picked up big wins over Nova Scotia and Manitoba.

This marked the first time the Yukon men’s soccer team beat a province at a Canada Games event, leading to seventh place in the final standings.

The Canada Games Council also recognized Team Yukon’s Arcel Siosan with the Pat Lechelt True Sport Award.

In each week of the Games, the award is given to an athlete who exemplifies the True Sport principles on and off the field of play.

Siosan was both a mission staff and participant at this year’s Games.

“Team Yukon athletes continue to inspire us with their skill, determination and sportsmanship,” Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn said Tuesday.

“The Canada Games are an amazing opportunity for Yukon athletes to compete against some of the best athletes in Canada, see new parts of the country and create lifelong friendships.

“I congratulate all athletes, coaches, support staff and volunteers on an amazing games, and I look forward to seeing Yukon athletes continue to succeed on national and international stages.”

Team Yukon Chef de Mission Trevor Twardochleb described himself as “incredibly proud of our team for all their accomplishments at the Niagara Games. What an amazing group of young athletes.”

The Canada Games are held every two years, alternating between winter and summer events.

This month’s Niagara Games were originally planned for 2021 but were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Team Yukon represents the Yukon at all major games in Canada.

A new Team Yukon comes together for each games event. The team includes athletes, coaches and support staff.

The government provided more than $170,000 to support Team Yukon’s attendance at the Canada Summer Games, as well as logistical and administrative leadership and communications support.

Team Yukon is now competing in this week’s Canada 55+ Games in Kamloops, B.C.

Further ahead on the team’s agenda are the:

• Arctic Winter Games, Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2023 in Wood Buffalo, Alta.;

• Canada Winter Games, Feb. 18-March 5, 2023 in Prince Edward Island; and

• North American Indigenous Games, July 15-23, 2023 in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth and Millbrook First Nation, N.S.