The 55th Final of the Quebec Games ended on Saturday in Laval after eight days of competition. The organizing committee underlined the admirable performances of the 3000 young athletes and was finally able to say “mission accomplished” after two years of postponement.
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“We have been hoping for this Final for two years, which has been long overdue,” said the general manager of the event, Marc DeBlois, in a press release. What incredible performances have delivered to us by these young athletes, aged only 12 to 17, but who already carry in their life baggage an experience that will forge their personality in a marvelous way.
The Games ended with an overall victory for the South Shore, which collected 67 medals, including 23 gold, and amassed 257 points. The region capped off its week in style by winning the U-14 men’s soccer final in the morning, thanks to a decisive 3-2 victory over Montreal.
The medal standings were tight until the end, with athletes from the Capitale-Nationale (228 points) bringing home 63 decorations. Young athletes from the host region of Laval (141 points) climbed on the podium 22 times, the seventh highest total. They also recorded an increase of 32 points.
The Montreal region was named “the most improved”, she who obtained 167 points in the standings, compared to 119 at the 2018 Games presented in Thetford.
“These young athletes leave Laval with unforgettable memories. They are now part of the great Games Family and they can always count on us to encourage them in their next challenges!” said SPORTSQUÉBEC President Julie Gosselin.
Note that 19 Quebec delegations participated in 17 sports in Laval, Terrebonne and Saint-Eustache. Everything was made possible thanks to the help of the 1,500 volunteers who lent a hand to the organizers.
The next Quebec Games Final will be organized by the City of Rivière-du-Loup, from March 3 to 11, 2023. The mayor of Laval, Stéphane Boyer, passed the Games flag to his counterpart Mario Bastille during the closing ceremony.
