[Bcma-l] Release - Mayor Sullivan proclaims May as BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum month

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

*Mayor Sullivan proclaims May as BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum month*

*Vancouver**, BC, May 6, 2008:* Mayor Sam Sullivan today proclaimed May 
to be BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum month in a ceremony at Vancouver 
City Hall timed to recognize the 2008 inductees to be honoured at the 
40th annual Banquet of Champions Gala Dinner and awards ceremony on May 
29, 2008.

2008 inductee Gareth Rees (rugby) helped the Mayor unveil a display case 
featuring artefacts and memorabilia from some of British Columbia’s most 
accomplished and celebrated Olympians. The exhibit will stay in the City 
Council Foyer until the end of the month of May.

“The calibre of athletes recognized at the Hall of Fame and now here at 
City Hall are world champions and athletes at the very top of their 
game. They’re British Columbians that deserve recognition for their 
accomplishments, and I’m proud they’ll get that respect here at City 
Hall,” said His Worship Sam Sullivan, Mayor, City of Vancouver.

The exhibit includes pieces of memorabilia from:

    * 1912 Olympic silver medal won by Duncan Gillis in the 16lb hammer
      throw—the first individual Olympic medal won by a BC athlete
    * 1932 Olympic silver medal won by Mary Frizzell Thomasson in the
      women’s 4x100m relay—the first Olympic medal won by a female BC
      athlete
    * Canadian Olympic blazer worn by double-gold medallist Percy
      Williams at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam

Among those gathered for the ceremony was 2008 BC Sports Hall of Fame 
and Museum Inductee Gareth Rees (rugby). “There are some tremendous 
athletes with gripping stories at the Hall of Fame. It’s an honour to be 
grouped among the likes of Terry Fox, Nancy Greene, Greg Moore and Rick 
Hansen. Spending time at the Museum makes me extraordinarily proud of 
being an athlete and proud to be a British Columbian.”

The proclamation is timed with the 40th anniversary of the Banquet of 
Champions Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, which takes place on May 29, 
2008 at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. Tickets are 
still available by visiting www.BanquetofChampions.com. Tickets are $275 
each or $2,750 per table.

The BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum honours British Columbia’s teams, 
builders, athletes, pioneers, and media through 20,000 square feet of 
exciting exhibits. By ‘Honouring the Past and Inspiring the Future’, the 
Hall of Fame shares with its visitors the vision of those who achieved 
their dreams through dedication, talent, and hard work. Visit the BC 
Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in person at Gate ‘A’ of BC Place Stadium 
(open daily from 10am to 5pm), or to learn more visit online at 
www.bcsportshalloffame.com.

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*Media Contacts:*

*Sue Griffin*, President and CEO

BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

T: 604.687.5520 ext. 27

*A**l**lison Mailer*, Director of Operations

BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

C: 778 .839 .8576