Eight athletes from the Okanagan can now proudly call themselves Olympians.  The announcement came yesterday with 206 Canadian athletes getting the nod for the upcoming 2010 Winter Games.  The games will be hosted and held in venues across Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler starting on February 12 until February 28. 

Clara Hughes will be given the honour of carrying the Canadian flag into the opening ceremonies as flagbearer.

Here's the list of local athletes named to the Canadian Olympic Team:

Justin Kripps, Summerland,BC - Bobsleigh

Chris Le Bihan, Kelowna,BC - Bobsleigh

Kelsey Serwa, Kelowna,BC - Ski Cross

Steve Omischl, West Kelowna,BC - Aerials

Kristi Richards, Summerland,BC - Moguls

Duncan Keith, Penticton,BC - Men's Hockey

Shea Weber, Sicamous,BC - Men's Hockey

Drew Neilson, Vernon,BC - Snowboard Cross

In all, 35 B.C. athletes were named to the Canadian Olympic Team.  Canada has never won a gold medal as the host country during the 1976 Winter Games in Montreal and again during the 1988 Games in Calgary.  That will not be the case if these Okanagan Olympians have anything to say about it!

GO CANADA GO!

Sincerely,

Jason Neumann