Premier Congratulates Team Nova Scotia's First Medal Winners

It was a night of firsts for Team Nova Scotia on Aug. 5. Swimmers won the province's first gold, silver and bronze medals during finals at the 2013 Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Que.

Timothy Ferris, 17, of New Glasgow, took the province's first medal of the games with a bronze in Men's Special Olympics 50m breast stroke. He also took the silver in the 100m freestyle event.

Thomas Swinkels, 19, of Sackville, was awarded the province's first gold medal of the games in the 100m men's para breast stroke.

"I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to our swimmers on their strong performance last night," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "These young men have worked very hard to get to the Games and to come out with such impressive results is a huge accomplishment."

The 2013 Canada Summer Games, which began Aug. 2 in Sherbrooke, Que., run until Aug. 17. More than 4,000 athletes are competing in 20 sports in 20 venues. Team Nova Scotia is will send more than 400 athletes, coaches, managers and mission staff over the two weeks.

The Canada Games are held every two years, alternating between summer and winter. They are key in developing Canada's young athletes producing the next generation of national, international and Olympic champions.

For more information, visit http://teamnovascotia.ca, @teamnovascotia on Twitter and http://facebook.com/teamns on Facebook.

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It was a night of firsts for Team Nova Scotia. Swimmers won

the province's first gold, silver and bronze medals Monday night

(August 5th), during finals at the 2013 Canada Summer Games in

Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Timothy Ferris, 17, of New Glasgow, took the province's

first medal of the games when he won bronze in Men's Special

Olympics men's 50-metre breast stroke. He also took silver in

the 100-metre freestyle event.

Thomas Swinkels, 19, of Sackville, was awarded the

province's first gold medal of the games in the 100-metre men's

para breast stroke.

Premier Darrell Dexter extends heartfelt congratulations to

the swimmers on their strong performance last night. He says the

young men worked very hard to get to the Games and to come out

with such impressive results is a huge accomplishment.

The 2013 Canada Summer Games run to August 17. Nova Scotia

will send over 400 athletes, coaches, managers and mission staff

during the Games.