A total of 140 Team Yukon athletes, coaches, managers and mission staff, will travel to Kamloops, B.C. this month to compete in the 2011 Western Canada Summer Games.

"It's terrific to see how excited the athletes are about competing in these major games,” Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor said.

Taylor spoke at the Team Yukon Pep Rally on Friday night on behalf of Community Services Minister Archie Lang.

Team Yukon will travel to Kamloops, B.C. in two waves. The first group will participate in athletics, men's basketball and tennis, and the second group will participate in badminton, cycling, soccer, swimming and volleyball.

Group one will leave Thursday, returning Aug. 10, and the second group will leave Yukon Aug. 10 and return Aug. 14.

"I know Yukoners all across the territory are proud of our athletes and will be looking forward to reports of Team Yukon's successes and experiences at the Games,” Taylor added.

The Western Canada Summer Games take place every four years and provides athletes with opportunities for competition leading up to the Canada Summer Games, which are next scheduled for 2013 in Sherbrooke, Que.

Mission staff will post daily newsletters during the Games online. To follow Team Yukon's progress and memories in the making, go to //www.sportyukon.com/majorgames/westerncanadasummergames/.