Team Nova Scotia Athletes Win 52 Medals

Team Nova Scotia is bringing home 52 medals from Prince Edward Island, the most medals ever won by the province in any Canada Games.

"We had an outstanding couple of weeks," said Ron O'Flaherty, Team Nova Scotia Chef de Mission. "The team came together as friends and competitors, representing our province in the best light possible."

Team Nova Scotia won 26 gold, 10 silver and 16 bronze, earning a fifth place overall standing, which is also an improvement over previous Games. The next best performance was at the London 2001 Canada Summer Games with 47 medals and sixth place overall.

"We have shown we can be competitive with anyone in the country," said Mr. O'Flaherty. "This is a real testament to the hard work and dedication our athletes have put into our sport and the high-caliber coaches, and programs our province has to offer."

David Sharpe, from Halifax, won two gold medals in swimming: 100 metre backstroke and 200 metre butterfly. He also won a silver medal in the 50 metre backstroke. Mr. Sharpe had the honour of leading Team Nova Scotia into the closing ceremony today, Aug. 29.

Hannah Vaughn, a kayaker from Dartmouth, who won two gold medals in the 500 metre K-2 and 500 metre K-4, and a bronze in the 500 metre K-1, was chosen to participate in the ceremonial passing of the torch at the closing ceremony. Once the torch of the 2009 Canada Summer Games was extinguished, Ms. Vaughn accepted the torch on behalf of the Halifax 2011 Canada Winter Games and began its journey to Nova Scotia.

The Canada Games is the country's largest amateur multi-sport event. About 4,400 athletes, artists, coaches and managers are competing for 1,500 medals in 18 sports.

Partners supporting Team Nova Scotia include Sport Nova Scotia and the Department of Health Promotion and Protection and official sponsors MEE Sports, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, CTV, 101.3 The Bounce and The Chronicle Herald.

Keep up to date with Team Nova Scotia news and results at ns.canadagames.ca .